The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) said it recovered suspected wiretapping devices at the Abuja home of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai. The agency claims the equipment could intercept private conversations and access sensitive security files.
Court documents filed by the ICPC show the items were seized during a search at El-Rufai’s residence, carried out in the presence of his wife, Hadiza El-Rufai, and his son, Mohammed Bello.
The commission alleged that the former governor refused to cooperate with investigators, opting to remain silent until he is formally arraigned in court. It also claimed that one of his aides linked to the case has fled the country.
Details of the recovery and allegations were presented in legal filings before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, where El-Rufai is challenging what he described as unlawful detention and violation of his fundamental rights.
The ICPC said it secured a 14-day detention order from a Magistrate Court in Bwari, FCT, to hold El-Rufai while investigations continue. The detention order is due to expire on Thursday.
Rejecting claims of arbitrary detention and political harassment, the commission asked the High Court to dismiss El-Rufai’s application.
The agency also said the former governor faces serious questions over several corruption allegations, including the alleged disappearance of €1.4 million, 180 suspicious 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, among other claims.
