ICPC Recovers Wiretapping Equipment from El-Rufai
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it recovered equipment allegedly capable of tapping conversations, alongside sensitive security documents, from the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai.
According to The Nation, the commission also obtained a legal order from a Magistrate Court in Bwari, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to detain el-Rufai for 14 days, with the order expected to expire on Thursday.
The anti-graft agency denied allegations of arbitrary detention and repression of the former governor, insisting that due process was followed.
ICPC has asked the High Court of Justice of the Federal Capital Territory to dismiss el-Rufai’s application alleging violation of his fundamental human rights.
The commission said the former governor has corruption allegations to answer, including questions surrounding the whereabouts of €1.4 million; 180 suspicious payments totalling N2,158,799,199 from a Consolidated Revenue Account linked to Kaduna State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) account; and transfers to undisclosed accounts amounting to N428,122,180.18, among others.
It also confirmed that an aide of the former governor allegedly linked to the matter has left the country.
The claims were contained in an affidavit deposed to by a Litigation Officer, David Efuk, before the High Court of Justice of the Federal Capital Territory, where el-Rufai is seeking redress and release from detention.
ICPC stated that the suspected items were retrieved during a search conducted in the presence of the former governor’s wife, Hadiza Isma el-Rufai, and his son, Hon. Mohammed Bello el-Rufai.
The agency alleged that el-Rufai declined to cooperate with investigators and chose to remain silent pending his arraignment in court.
According to the commission, on February 18, 2026, at about 7 pm, el-Rufai was released to the Department of State Services (DSS) by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and subsequently handed over to ICPC.
It said a remand order was secured the following day to keep him in custody for 14 days to enable investigations.
ICPC further stated that a duly signed search warrant was executed at No. 12 Mambila Street, Aso Drive, Asokoro District, Abuja, where sensitive security documents capable of compromising national security were allegedly recovered.
The commission claimed that el-Rufai admitted during an appearance on Arise Television to tapping telephone conversations of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
It added that electronic magnetic equipment allegedly capable of tapping conversations was also retrieved during the search.
The agency said the former governor refused to grant consent for investigators to access the equipment and alleged that he had threatened potential prosecution witnesses, with one witness reportedly seeking protection from the commission.
ICPC maintained that el-Rufai’s detention was lawful and based on a valid remand order issued by the Magistrate Court in Bwari.
The commission said it does not arbitrarily detain suspects and operates strictly within its mandate to investigate corruption, abuse of office and related offences before prosecuting where prima facie evidence exists.
According to the agency, investigations are ongoing and charges would be filed before the expiration of the detention order on March 5, 2026.
ICPC said it began investigations following a petition alleging corrupt practices during el-Rufai’s tenure as a two-term governor of Kaduna State.
The petition alleged discrepancies in the state’s debt profile, foreign currency withdrawals amounting to €1.4 million, diversion of public revenue through failure to remit funds into the Treasury Single Account, and the use of a debit card linked to a revenue account with transactions totalling N721,672,854.88.
Other allegations include diversion of funds to individuals and companies amounting to N393,752,670.05, transfers to undisclosed accounts totalling N428,122,180.18, and 180 suspicious payments worth N2,158,799,199 linked to the state’s IGR account.
The petition further claimed that the previous administration obtained 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.
In his response on oath to the commission, el-Rufai described the investigation as political persecution, saying he was being targeted as a leading member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
He said he would exercise his right to silence until arraigned before a court, insisting that only a judge could determine the allegations against him.
