The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Monday detailed documents and electronic devices allegedly recovered from the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
The anti-graft agency made the disclosures in court filings before the Federal Capital Territory High Court while opposing a N1bn fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the former governor.
El-Rufai had approached the court, alleging illegal arrest, detention, and a search of his residence last month. However, the commission insisted its operatives acted under a valid search warrant issued on February 18 and executed on February 19 between 1:37pm and 3:56pm at his home located at 12 Mambilla Street, Asokoro, Abuja.
According to the ICPC, its officials were accompanied by personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, and the search was witnessed by El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza El-Rufai, and his son, Mohammed El-Rufai.
The commission said items recovered included investor account statements, asset declaration forms, certificates of business registration, corporate compliance records, and Know-Your-Customer files.
Other documents allegedly seized were linked to the African Democratic Congress welfare secretary, records of domestic and foreign loans approved by the Kaduna State House of Assembly between 2015 and 2023, and interim investigation reports involving El-Rufai and associates.
Also listed were Ecobank Nigeria Plc share certificates, land documents, valuation reports, deeds of assignment, irrevocable powers of attorney for multiple properties, Afri-Venture Capital Company documents, payment mandates, and media materials from the former governor’s office.
The ICPC further disclosed that nine flash drives, one memory card, seven hard drives, multiple laptops—including Apple MacBook Pro and Elumac Book Pro models—mobile phones such as Blackberry, Nokia N95, Toshiba, Samsung IDEOS, Google IDEOS, 18 other devices, and a Remarkable tablet were recovered.
All items, the commission said, were documented, sealed, and prepared for forensic examination. A detailed Device Documentation Form reportedly captured serial numbers, storage details, and accessories of the gadgets.
The agency acknowledged that El-Rufai noted in the documentation that he did not grant consent for access to the devices.
Family Pushback
Reacting in a statement signed by his son, Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives, the former governor challenged the commission to formally charge him.
Charge me, if you have anything against me. You have had more than two years to investigate me. Take me to court, please,” the statement quoted him as saying.
The family maintained that his silence during interrogation was an exercise of his constitutional right and not evidence of guilt.
They disputed the scope of items recovered, insisting only old personal mobile phones and storage devices were taken.
They further alleged that the search warrant was invalid and fraudulently obtained, stating that their lawyers have challenged it in court.
Ongoing Investigations
Since leaving office in 2023, El-Rufai has faced multiple investigations. In 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly called for a probe into the alleged diversion of N423 billion during his administration.
He was previously arrested by the State Security Service and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and remains in ICPC custody. His detention has reportedly stalled his arraignment on separate phone-tapping charges.
The ICPC, however, maintained that its actions were lawful and in line with its statutory mandate to investigate corruption and related offences.
