Reports indicate that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) confirmed on Thursday that El-Rufai is now in its custody.

El-Rufai was initially arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) shortly after being released on bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, before being handed over to the ICPC.

In an interview with Channels Television, Odinkalu urged El-Rufai to accept accountability for his actions while in office, emphasizing that he ruled with impunity, recklessness, and brutality.

Odinkalu said, “Every citizen deserves due process, and no one should be granted impunity simply because of their political position or national profile. If a person has acted in a way that warrants legal accountability, they must face due legal process. In this case, El-Rufai clearly fits that description.

“What I am saying far exceeds the treatment he afforded those he viewed as critics during his time as governor. He acted with extraordinary impunity, recklessness, and brutality. Some of his victims are deceased, including the late Dr. Rafael Galadima, who was abducted along with his wife and killed despite ransom being paid in 2019, three months after the disappearance of Dadiyata, who remains missing.

“There were communities he unilaterally converted from kingdoms to Emirates, displacing non-Muslims, mostly Christians, from positions of community leadership. Lands were expropriated, and political opponents had their homes demolished. By any measure, El-Rufai is the last person who can legitimately complain about due process.

“He was despicable as governor of Kaduna State. Ironically, he was one of the main campaigners who helped bring the current administration to power alongside President Tinubu, attending events such as Chatham House in 2023. And now he faces persecution—ironically from the system he supported.”