ICPC recovers wiretapping equipment from El-Rufai

Published by Godday Atuba

• We got permission to detain ex-governor for 14 days

• He declined to cooperate with investigators

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) said it recovered equipment. The equipment is allegedly capable of tapping conversations. Sensitive security documents were also found at the Abuja home of former Governor Nasir el-Rufai.

The commission also said it obtained a legal order. The order was from a Magistrate Court in Bwari in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The order is to detain el-Rufai for 14 days. It is due to expire on Thursday. It denied allegations of arbitrary detention and repression of the former governor.

The commission has asked the High Court of Justice of the Federal Capital Territory to dismiss el-Rufai’s application. He alleges that his fundamental human rights were violated.

ICPC said the former governor has corruption allegations to answer, including questions over the whereabouts of €1.4 million.

There are 180 suspicious payments totaling N2,158,799,199 from a Consolidated Revenue Account linked to Kaduna State’s IGR account. Additionally, there are transfers to undisclosed accounts amounting to N428,122,180.18, among others. The commission confirmed that an aide of the former governor, allegedly linked to the matter, has left the country.

ICPC made the claims in an affidavit. A Litigation Officer, David Efuk, deposed the affidavit before the High Court of Justice of the Federal Capital Territory.

This is where el-Rufai is seeking redress and release from detention.

The commission said all the suspected items were retrieved. The retrieval occurred in the company of the former governor’s wife, Hadiza. His son, Mohammed, was also there.

The agency also alleged that the former governor declined to cooperate with investigators. He opted to stay silent until he is brought before a court. It added that an aide of the former minister linked to the investigation had escaped from the country.

The anti-graft body made the claims in processes filed before the court. It seeks the dismissal of the fundamental human rights enforcement suit. ICPC said: “On the 18th day of February, 2026, at about 7 pm, the EFCC released the applicant. The release was to the DSS. The EFCC released the applicant to the DSS at about 7 pm. The DSS was responsible for handing the applicant over to the commission. At about 7 pm, the EFCC released the applicant to the DSS.

“On the 19th day of February, 2026, the commission obtained a remand order. This allowed the commission to keep the applicant in its custody for 14 days. This period will lapse on the 5th day of March, 2026.“The commission has since confronted the applicant with the retrieved documents. This occurred during its preliminary investigation activities.

The applicant has refused to respond to interviews to date.“The commission executed a duly signed search authorization on the premises of the applicant. This action happened on the 19th day of February, 2026. It took place at No. 12 Mambila Street, Aso Drive, Asokoro District, Abuja.“During the search, which was observed by the applicant’s wife, Hadiza Isma el-Rufai, and his son, Hon. Mohammed Bello el-Rufai, the commission retrieved sensitive security documents capable of compromising national security.“The applicant, on national television (Arise Television), admitted to tapping telephone conversations of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.“During the search operations, the commission retrieved electronic magnetic equipment allegedly capable of tapping conversations.

He was asked to give consent to enable the commission access the equipment, but he refused. A copy of the consent form is attached and marked Exhibit ICPC 5. “The search also retrieved sensitive security documents of various security agencies of the government. “The applicant is also allegedly threatening likely prosecution witnesses, and one such witness has written to the commission seeking protection. A copy of the letter is attached and marked Exhibit ICPC 6.” The ICPC insisted that el-Rufai was lawfully detained. This was done following a remand order issued by a Magistrate Court in Bwari, FCT. It said the court granted the commission 14 days to keep him in custody to enable it conduct investigations. It said: “Contrary to the depositions of the applicant in his supporting affidavit, the applicant is lawfully in the commission’s custody. He is being held legally. The commission has not breached any of his fundamental rights as claimed.” “ICPC does not arbitrarily arrest or detain suspects unlawfully, nor pose any physical danger to them. “ICPC is mandated to investigate cases of corruption, abuse of office, and related offences. When there is prima facie evidence, ICPC prosecutes alleged offenders. “ICPC can only charge a person to court when investigations are concluded. “Where investigation is ongoing, ICPC may request an alleged offender to report to its office daily. This continues until investigations are concluded. Where necessary, ICPC can remand the alleged offender pending conclusion of investigations. “ICPC will draw up charges against the applicant before the 5th of March, 2026. The detention order will lapse then. “It is in the interest of justice to dismiss his application. It lacks merit. Allow the commission to investigate the allegations thoroughly.

This is in the public interest.”

ICPC said it followed due process in inviting el-Rufai based on a petition alleging corrupt practices. It said:

“The commission received a petition against the applicant, a former two-term Governor of Kaduna State.“Thereafter, the commission began preliminary investigations into the allegations. It retrieved relevant documents from banks and other government institutions.“Upon conclusion of preliminary investigations, the commission invited the applicant multiple times.

The aim was to confront him with documents retrieved during the investigation.“Every try to invite the applicant via formal letters proved abortive.“On the 5th day of February, 2026, the commission got information about the applicant’s arrival. He had reached the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.“Operatives of the Department of State Services were contacted to help in arresting him, but the effort was unsuccessful.“The commission later located the applicant’s residence at Aso Drive, Abuja.

It formally served him with an invitation letter. He was invited to before the commission on the 13th day of February, 2026, at 10am.“The applicant, through his legal representatives, requested to honour the invitation on the 18th day of February, 2026.“Before the agreed date, he had honoured an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and was detained.“He was later granted administrative bail but was unable to meet the conditions and remained in EFCC custody.

”The allegationsThe petition against el-Rufai alleged: Serious discrepancies in the state’s debt profile.Cash withdrawals in foreign currency amounting to €1.4 million, with the purpose allegedly unclear.Alleged diversion of public revenue by failure to remit funds into the TSA account.Use of a debit card on a revenue bank account, with total transactions amounting to N721,672,854.88.Alleged violation of Section 3.3.1 of Kaduna State Financial Policies and Procedures Manual 2016.Diversion of funds to individuals and companies amounting to N393,752,670.05.Transfers to undisclosed accounts totalling N428,122,180.18.Suspicious payments (180) amounting to N2,158,799,199 from a Consolidated Revenue Account linked to Kaduna State IGR.

The petition further alleged: “The past administration collected about N98.912 billion as domestic loans for developmental projects in Kaduna State.“The past administration also collected over $7,366,070,222.5 as foreign loans to be serviced by the people of Kaduna State.“Our findings showed that while the Kaduna State Government between 2015 and 2023 embarked on ambitious projects. Some were allegedly executed in contravention of procurement laws.“It is alleged that only a few projects were completed, while several were abandoned despite full payment to contractors.“Of concern was the alleged disregard for the Kaduna State Public Procurement Law, 2016.”What el-Rufai saidIn a statement on oath to the ICPC, el-Rufai said he was being persecuted as an opposition figure.He stated that he would exercise his right to silence until arraigned before a court.

He said: “I am a leading member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). I consider it the only surviving opposition party in Nigeria.

That is the real reason I am being investigated.“About this question, I have decided to exercise my right to silence. I made this decision on the advice of counsel.“I believe that after nearly two years of intensive investigation, the ICPC should show its findings before a judicial tribunal. They should not show the findings to me.

“I will respond to any allegations only in a court of law. I do not believe these investigations amount to law enforcement.“This is political persecution which only a judge can decide upon.”