Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Thursday spent a second night in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
This is just as his lawyers protested the search of his Abuja residence.
The former Kaduna governor was initially detained on Monday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and released late Wednesday.
But he was immediately taken into custody by the ICPC, where he has detained since.
Before his arrest, El-Rufai had written to the ICPC through his lawyers, indicating his willingness to honour an invitation on Tuesday.
This followed an incident at the airport where his passport was reportedly seized by operatives of the Department of State Services.
It was gathered on Thursday night that El-Rufai was still being grilled by the ICPC.
The anti-graft agency had earlier confirmed taking custody of El-Rufai on Wednesday night, but declined to state the offence under investigation.
There have been speculations linking him to the failed N11.1bn Joint Venture Kaduna light rail project, but this could not be confirmed.
ICPC spokesman, John Odey, could not be reached on the phone.
Meanwhile, El-Rufai’s media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, said on X that operatives of the ICPC searched the former governor’s residence on Aso Drive, Abuja.
According to him, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, condemned the action as unlawful and a violation of due process and fundamental rights.
“The Aso Drive residence of Malam Nasir @elrufai was today searched by the ICPC. Ubong Akpan, Malam El- Rufai’s lawyer, condemned the action as unlawful and a clear violation of legal procedures and fundamental rights,” he posted on X.
