Inside The Visit: Amaechi Sends Strong Message On Government’s Direction

Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has paid a visit to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following his temporary release from the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

El-Rufai was granted temporary release to enable him attend the funeral of his mother, who passed away on Friday afternoon after battling age-related health issues.

During the condolence visit, Amaechi criticised the ICPC, questioning the legality of El-Rufai’s release without a court order. He remarked that the situation reflected how the government handles its decisions, suggesting that authorities acted on their own terms.

Meanwhile, a close associate of El-Rufai revealed that the former governor spent his time in detention engaging in fasting, studying religious texts, and reading extensively. The associate, Bashir Garba Sufyan, shared details on social media, noting that El-Rufai remained focused on spiritual and intellectual activities during his time in custody.

El-Rufai had been in detention since February 19, 2026, following an arrest after questioning by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He was later arraigned before a Federal High Court in Kaduna on a 10-count charge relating to alleged corruption and money laundering, to which he pleaded not guilty.

The court adjourned his bail hearing to March 31, while the ICPC released him shortly after news of his mother’s death emerged. His family and associates later confirmed his release, though full details surrounding the decision were not disclosed.