Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), says it recovered alleged surveillance equipment and sensitive security documents from the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, as it defends his ongoing detention.
In court filings before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the commission said it obtained a remand order from a magistrate court in Bwari allowing it to hold el-Rufai for 14 days, with the order due to expire on March 5, 2026. The agency rejected claims of arbitrary detention, insisting it followed due process.
Surveillance Claims and Seized Documents
According to an affidavit sworn by ICPC litigation officer David Efuk, investigators executed a search warrant on el-Rufai’s residence in Asokoro, Abuja, on February 19. The operation, witnessed by members of his family, allegedly yielded “electronic magnetic equipment capable of tapping conversations” and classified documents belonging to security agencies.
The commission also cited a television appearance in which el-Rufai allegedly admitted tapping conversations involving Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. Investigators claimed the former governor declined to grant access to the recovered equipment or cooperate with interviews, opting instead to remain silent.
ICPC further alleged that one aide connected to the probe has left the country and that another potential witness has sought protection over alleged threats.
Financial Allegations
The agency said el-Rufai faces multiple corruption-related questions, including:
· The whereabouts of €1.4 million in foreign currency withdrawals
· 180 suspicious payments totaling ₦2.16 billion linked to Kaduna State revenue accounts
· Transfers of ₦428 million to undisclosed accounts
· Additional alleged diversions totaling hundreds of millions of naira
Investigators also pointed to alleged irregularities in Kaduna State’s debt profile and claims that loans — both domestic and foreign — may have been mismanaged or tied to projects executed in breach of procurement laws.
Arrest Timeline
ICPC said it began preliminary investigations following a petition alleging corrupt practices during el-Rufai’s tenure as governor from 2015 to 2023. After unsuccessful attempts to invite him for questioning, the commission said it tracked his arrival at Abuja’s international airport in early February.
He was later detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on separate matters and subsequently handed over to ICPC custody. The anti-graft body said it secured a lawful remand order after taking custody.
The agency maintained that it does not arbitrarily detain suspects and would file formal charges once investigations are complete. “ICPC undertakes to draw up charges against the applicant before the 5th of March, 2026,” the filing stated.
El-Rufai Denies Wrongdoing
In a sworn statement, el-Rufai denied the allegations and described the investigation as politically motivated. He said he would exercise his right to silence until formally arraigned.
“I am a leading member of the African Democratic Congress, which I consider the only surviving opposition party in Nigeria, and that is the real reason I am being investigated,” he said.
He added that he would only respond to the allegations in court, stating: “This is political persecution which only a judge can decide upon.”
The ICPC has asked the FCT High Court to dismiss his application alleging a violation of fundamental human rights, arguing that the detention remains lawful and necessary for ongoing investigations.
