The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has disclosed that it recovered suspected wiretapping devices and sensitive security documents from the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, amid an ongoing corruption investigation.
In court filings before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the anti-graft agency said the items were retrieved during a search of El-Rufai’s home at No. 12 Mambila Street, Aso Drive, Asokoro District, Abuja. The search, executed on February 19, 2026, was carried out in the presence of his wife, Hadiza El-Rufai, and his son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai.
According to an affidavit deposed to by ICPC litigation officer David Efuk, investigators recovered electronic magnetic equipment allegedly capable of intercepting telephone conversations, as well as documents described as sensitive materials belonging to various security agencies. The commission claimed the materials were capable of compromising national security.
The ICPC further alleged that El-Rufai had, during a television interview, admitted to tapping the telephone conversations of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. It said the former governor declined to grant investigators consent to access the retrieved electronic devices.
The commission also told the court that it secured a 14-day remand order from a Magistrate Court in Bwari, FCT, to detain El-Rufai pending the conclusion of investigations. The order, granted on February 19, is scheduled to lapse on March 5, 2026.
The ICPC is asking the High Court of the FCT to dismiss El-Rufai’s application seeking enforcement of his fundamental human rights and release from custody. The agency denied allegations of arbitrary detention, insisting that his custody is lawful and in compliance with due process.
In its filings, the commission said El-Rufai has questions to answer over the alleged whereabouts of €1.4 million and 180 suspicious payments totalling N2.16 billion from a Consolidated Revenue Account linked to Kaduna State’s internally generated revenue (IGR) account. It also cited transfers amounting to N428.1 million to undisclosed accounts.
The ICPC alleged that the former governor has refused to cooperate with investigators, opting to remain silent until he is formally charged in court. It also claimed that one of his aides connected to the probe had fled the country, while another potential prosecution witness had written to the commission seeking protection over alleged threats.
Providing a timeline of events, the agency said it received a petition accusing El-Rufai of corrupt practices and subsequently conducted preliminary investigations, retrieving documents from banks and government institutions. It claimed multiple attempts to invite him for questioning were unsuccessful.
According to the commission, operatives of the Department of State Services were contacted to assist in arresting him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on February 5, but the effort failed. He was later served with an invitation letter at his Abuja residence to appear before the commission on February 13.
The ICPC said El-Rufai’s legal representatives requested that he honour the invitation on February 18. However, before that date, he had responded to a separate invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where he was detained. Although he was reportedly granted administrative bail, the commission stated that he was unable to meet the bail conditions and remained in EFCC custody before being released to the DSS and subsequently handed over to the ICPC.
The anti-graft agency maintained that it is acting within its statutory mandate to investigate allegations of corruption and abuse of office, adding that charges will be filed before the expiration of the remand order.
“It is in the interest of justice to dismiss his application for lacking merit and allow the commission to investigate the allegations thoroughly in the public interest,” the commission stated.
