ICPC Recovers Alleged Wiretapping Devices from Nasir el-Rufai’s Abuja Home

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it has recovered electronic equipment allegedly capable of intercepting telephone conversations and sensitive security documents from the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai.

In an affidavit filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the commission stated that it executed a search warrant on February 19, 2026, at el-Rufai’s residence located at No. 12 Mambila Street, Aso Drive, Asokoro, Abuja. The operation, according to the ICPC, was witnessed by his wife, Hadiza Isma el-Rufai, and his son, Mohammed Bello el-Rufai.

The commission said investigators retrieved electronic magnetic devices allegedly capable of tapping conversations, as well as documents described as sensitive security materials belonging to various government agencies. It added that el-Rufai was asked to grant consent to enable access to the equipment but declined.

The ICPC further told the court that it obtained a remand order from a Magistrate Court in Bwari, FCT, on February 19, 2026, authorising it to detain the former governor for 14 days to conclude investigations. The order is scheduled to lapse on March 5, 2026. The commission denied allegations of arbitrary detention, insisting that it acted within the law and in line with its mandate.

According to the affidavit deposed to by its litigation officer, David Efuk, the investigation followed a petition alleging financial misconduct during el-Rufai’s tenure as governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023. The petition raised questions over €1.4 million in foreign currency withdrawals, 180 payments totalling N2,158,799,199 from a Consolidated Revenue Account linked to Kaduna State’s internally generated revenue account, and transfers to undisclosed accounts amounting to N428,122,180.18.

Other allegations include the use of a debit card on a revenue bank account involving transactions totalling N721,672,854.88, diversion of N393,752,670.05 to individuals and companies, and failure to remit certain public revenues into the Treasury Single Account. The petition also cited discrepancies in the state’s debt profile, including domestic and foreign loans reportedly obtained during the period, and alleged breaches of procurement laws with claims that several projects were abandoned despite full payment to contractors.

The ICPC stated that it made several attempts to invite el-Rufai for questioning but that the invitations were not honoured until after he had been detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a related matter. He was later transferred to ICPC custody. The commission also alleged that an aide linked to the investigation had left the country and that one potential prosecution witness had written to request protection.

The commission said it confronted el-Rufai with documents obtained during preliminary investigations but that he declined to respond to interviews, opting to remain silent until arraigned before a court. It asked the High Court to dismiss his application seeking enforcement of his fundamental rights and release from detention, arguing that it is lawfully holding him pursuant to a valid remand order. The ICPC said it intends to file charges before the remand order expires.

In a sworn statement to investigators, el-Rufai described the probe as political persecution. He identified himself as a leading member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and said he would respond to the allegations only in a court of law. The matter remains before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.