The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, says it recovered suspected wiretapping equipment from the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
According to court filings by the anti-graft agency, the devices allegedly have the capacity to intercept private conversations and access sensitive security documents. The commission said the items were retrieved during a search conducted at El-Rufai’s residence in the presence of his wife, Hadiza El-Rufai, and his son, Mohammed Bello.
The ICPC further alleged that the former governor declined to cooperate with investigators, opting to remain silent until he is formally arraigned in court. It also claimed that one of his aides connected to the investigation has fled the country.
The details were disclosed in legal processes filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, where El-Rufai is seeking redress over what he described as unlawful detention and a violation of his fundamental human rights.
The commission stated that it secured a 14-day detention order from a Magistrate Court in Bwari, FCT, to hold the former governor pending the conclusion of investigations. The detention order is expected to expire on Thursday.
Rejecting claims of arbitrary detention and political persecution, the ICPC urged the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory to dismiss El-Rufai’s application.
The agency added that the former governor has questions to answer over multiple corruption allegations, including the alleged disappearance of €1.4 million; 180 suspicious payments amounting to N2,158,799,199 from a Consolidated Revenue Account linked to Kaduna State’s internally generated revenue account; and transfers totalling N428,122,180.18 to undisclosed accounts, among other claims.
