Anti‑graft agency alleges devices capable of intercepting conversations were recovered in presence of wife and son; former Kaduna governor seeks court relief as detention order nears expiration.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has told a court that investigators recovered suspected wiretapping equipment — allegedly capable of intercepting conversations and accessing sensitive security documents — during a search of the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El‑Rufai.
In court processes filed by the anti‑graft agency, the ICPC said the items were recovered in the presence of El‑Rufai’s wife, Hadiza, and his son, Mohammed Bello. The agency also alleged that the former governor chose not to cooperate with investigators and remained silent until he is produced before a court. The filings further allege that an aide linked to the investigation has fled the country.
The ICPC said it obtained a 14‑day detention order from a Magistrate Court in Bwari, Federal Capital Territory, to hold El‑Rufai; that order is due to expire on Thursday, the commission told the court. The agency denied claims that the detention is arbitrary or repressive and asked the High Court of Justice of the FCT to dismiss El‑Rufai’s application alleging violations of his fundamental human rights.
El‑Rufai is simultaneously seeking redress and release from detention through court filings. The ICPC asked the court to dismiss those applications, and its processes detail a slate of corruption allegations the commission says the former governor must answer.
According to the ICPC’s court papers, the allegations include questions over the whereabouts of €1.4 million; 180 suspicious payments totalling ₦2,158,799,199 from a Consolidated Revenue Account linked to Kaduna State’s internally generated revenue account; and transfers to undisclosed accounts totaling ₦428,122,180.18, among other purported irregularities.
All allegations are those of the ICPC and are before the courts. El‑Rufai has been seeking judicial relief; the ICPC’s filings set the stage for further legal battles as investigators press their case. There was no immediate public response from El‑Rufai’s office when contacted, and the former governor has not been convicted of any wrongdoing.
