ICPC Recovers Alleged Wiretapping Equipment From El-Rufai Residence
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) said it recovered suspected wiretapping equipment from the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, claiming the devices could intercept private conversations and access sensitive security information.
Court documents reveal that the items were seized during a search conducted in the presence of El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza, and his son, Mohammed Bello. The commission further alleged that El-Rufai refused to cooperate with investigators, choosing to remain silent until his formal arraignment, while one of his aides reportedly fled the country amid the probe.
The ICPC disclosed these details in filings before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, where El-Rufai is challenging what he described as unlawful detention and violations of his fundamental rights.
The agency said it obtained a 14-day detention order from a Magistrate Court in Bwari, FCT, to hold the former governor while investigations proceed, with the order set to expire on Thursday.
Rejecting claims of political targeting, the ICPC urged the High Court to dismiss El-Rufai’s application.
In its submissions, the commission also raised multiple corruption allegations against the former governor, including the alleged disappearance of €1.4 million, 180 questionable payments totaling N2,158,799,199 from Kaduna State’s internally generated revenue (IGR) account, and transfers of N428,122,180.18 to undisclosed accounts.
