The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has disclosed that it recovered electronic equipment allegedly capable of tapping telephone conversations, as well as sensitive security documents, from the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai.
According to the commission, it obtained a 14-day remand order from a Magistrate Court in Bwari, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to detain the former governor pending investigation. The detention order is set to expire on March 5, 2026.
The ICPC denied allegations of arbitrary detention and repression, insisting that el-Rufai is being lawfully held in custody in line with a valid court order. It further asked the High Court of the FCT to dismiss the former governor’s application alleging a breach of his fundamental human rights.
In an affidavit deposed to by its Litigation Officer, David Efuk, the commission stated that the search of el-Rufai’s residence at No. 12 Mambila Street, Aso Drive, Asokoro, Abuja, was carried out with a duly signed warrant. The operation was reportedly witnessed by his wife, Hadiza Isma el-Rufai, and his son, Mohammed Bello el-Rufai.
The commission alleged that among the items recovered were electronic magnetic devices capable of intercepting conversations and documents considered sensitive to national security. It also claimed that el-Rufai had admitted on national television to tapping the phone conversations of the National Security Adviser.
ICPC further stated that the former governor declined to cooperate with investigators and chose to exercise his right to remain silent until arraigned in court. It alleged that he had refused to grant consent for investigators to access certain retrieved equipment and that he was threatening potential prosecution witnesses. The commission added that one witness had formally requested protection.
The anti-graft agency outlined several corruption allegations against el-Rufai, including:
Questions surrounding €1.4 million in foreign currency withdrawals.
180 suspicious payments totalling ₦2,158,799,199 from a Consolidated Revenue Account linked to Kaduna State’s IGR.
Transfers to undisclosed accounts amounting to ₦428,122,180.18.
Alleged diversion of ₦393,752,670.05 to individuals and companies.
Use of a debit card on a revenue account with transactions totalling ₦721,672,854.88.
Alleged failure to remit public funds into the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
Alleged violations of Kaduna State financial and procurement laws.
The petition also alleged discrepancies in Kaduna State’s debt profile, including domestic loans amounting to approximately ₦98.912 billion and foreign loans totalling over $7.36 billion during el-Rufai’s administration between 2015 and 2023. It further claimed that several projects were either abandoned or executed in violation of procurement regulations.
The ICPC stated that it had earlier attempted to invite el-Rufai for questioning through formal letters, which were unsuccessful. It added that he had been previously detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and granted administrative bail but was unable to meet the bail conditions.
In his statement on oath, el-Rufai described the investigation as political persecution, alleging that he is being targeted because of his role as a leading member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He maintained that he would respond to all allegations only in a court of law and has chosen to exercise his constitutional right to silence until formally arraigned.
The ICPC maintained that it is acting within its legal mandate to investigate corruption, abuse of office, and related offences, and stated that charges would be filed before the expiration of the remand order.
