Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is facing mounting legal pressure following startling revelations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which alleges the recovery of sophisticated wiretapping equipment from his Abuja residence.
According to court documents filed by the anti-graft agency, the recovered devices are allegedly capable of intercepting private conversations and accessing sensitive security communications. The ICPC disclosed that the items were retrieved during a search conducted at the former governor’s Abuja home in the presence of his wife, Hadiza El-Rufai, and his son, Mohammed Bello.
The Commission further claimed that El-Rufai declined to cooperate with investigators, reportedly choosing to remain silent pending formal court proceedings. It also alleged that an aide linked to the investigation has fled the country, raising further concerns over the unfolding probe.
In processes before the court, where El-Rufai is seeking redress and release from detention, the ICPC maintained that it acted within the bounds of the law. The agency stated that it secured a valid detention order from a Magistrate Court in Bwari, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), authorizing the former governor’s remand for 14 days. The order is expected to expire on Thursday.
Dismissing claims of arbitrary detention and political repression, the Commission urged the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory to reject El-Rufai’s application alleging violations of his fundamental human rights.
Beyond the alleged surveillance equipment, the ICPC revealed that the former governor has serious corruption allegations to answer. These include questions surrounding the whereabouts of €1.4 million; 180 allegedly suspicious payments totaling ₦2,158,799,199 traced to a Consolidated Revenue Account linked to Kaduna State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR); and transfers amounting to ₦428,122,180.18 to undisclosed accounts.
As the legal battle intensifies, political observers say the case could mark a significant chapter in Nigeria’s anti-corruption drive, with implications that may reverberate across the nation’s political landscape.
The matter is expected to return to court in the coming days as both sides prepare for what could become a landmark judicial showdown.
