By Deborah Nnamdi
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said it recovered electronic equipment allegedly capable of tapping conversations and sensitive security documents from the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
The commission disclosed this in an affidavit deposed to by its litigation officer, David Efuk, before the High Court of Justice of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where El-Rufai is seeking enforcement of his fundamental human rights and release from detention.
ICPC said it obtained a 14-day remand order from a Magistrate Court in Bwari, FCT, on February 19, 2026, to detain the former governor pending the conclusion of investigations. The order is due to expire on March 5, 2026.
According to the commission, El-Rufai was released to the Department of State Services by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on February 18, 2026, before being handed over to the ICPC.
The anti-graft agency denied allegations of arbitrary detention and repression, insisting that the former governor is lawfully held pursuant to a valid court order.
“Contrary to the depositions of the applicant in his supporting affidavit, he is lawfully held in the custody of the commission, and the commission has not breached any of his fundamental rights as claimed,” the affidavit stated.
The commission added that it would file charges against El-Rufai before the remand order lapses.
ICPC said that on February 19, 2026, it executed a search warrant at El-Rufai’s residence at No. 12 Mambila Street, Aso Drive, Asokoro District, Abuja.
It stated that the search, witnessed by his wife, Hadiza Isma El-Rufai, and his son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, led to the recovery of “sensitive security documents capable of compromising national security” and electronic magnetic devices allegedly capable of tapping telephone conversations.
The commission further alleged that El-Rufai had admitted on national television to tapping the telephone conversations of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
According to ICPC, the former governor declined to grant consent for investigators to access the retrieved equipment and has refused to respond to interviews, opting to remain silent until arraigned in court.
The commission also claimed that an aide linked to the investigation has left the country and that the former governor was allegedly threatening potential prosecution witnesses, with one witness formally requesting protection.
Corruption Allegations
ICPC said El-Rufai has questions to answer over alleged corruption and financial misconduct during his tenure as Kaduna State governor.
The allegations include discrepancies in the state’s debt profile; foreign currency cash withdrawals totalling €1.4 million; 180 suspicious payments amounting to N2,158,799,199 from a Consolidated Revenue Account linked to the state’s Internally Generated Revenue account; and transfers to undisclosed accounts totalling N428,122,180.18.
Other claims involve alleged diversion of public revenue, use of a debit card on a revenue bank account with transactions totalling N721,672,854.88, and diversion of funds to individuals and companies amounting to N393,752,670.05.
The petition also alleged that the previous administration collected about N98.912 billion in domestic loans and over $7.36 billion in foreign loans for developmental projects, some of which were allegedly executed in violation of procurement laws, with several projects reportedly abandoned despite full payment to contractors.
ICPC said it began investigations after receiving a petition against El-Rufai and retrieved relevant documents from banks and government institutions. It added that several attempts to invite him through formal letters were unsuccessful before he was eventually served an invitation at his residence in Abuja.
El-Rufai Alleges Political Persecution
In a statement on oath to the commission, El-Rufai described the investigation as political persecution, claiming he was being targeted as a leading member of the African Democratic Congress, which he described as a major opposition party.
“I have, on the advice of counsel, decided to exercise my right to silence,” he said, adding that he would only respond to the allegations in a court of law.
He maintained that the investigation should culminate in judicial proceedings rather than continued interrogation by the commission.
The ICPC has asked the High Court of the FCT to dismiss the fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the former governor, arguing that it lacks merit and that it is in the public interest for the investigation to proceed to its logical conclusion.
