The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has disclosed that it recovered equipment allegedly capable of intercepting conversations and sensitive security documents from the Abuja residence of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Additionally, the ICPC commission has urged the High Court of Justice of the FCT to dismiss El-Rufai’s application alleging violations of his fundamental human rights.
ICPC revealed that El-Rufai faces multiple corruption-related queries, including the whereabouts of €1.4 million; 180 suspicious payments totaling ₦2,158,799,199 from a Consolidated Revenue Account linked to Kaduna State’s IGR; and transfers to undisclosed accounts amounting to ₦428,122,180.18, among other allegations.
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 deposed to by a Litigation Officer, David Efuk, before the High Court of Justice of the Federal Capital Territory, where el-Rufai is seeking redress and release from detention.
The commission said all the suspected items were retrieved in the presence of the former governor’s wife, Hadiza, and his son, Mohammed.
The agency also alleged that the former governor declined to cooperate with investigators, opting to remain 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, seeking the dismissal of the fundamental human rights enforcement suit.
ICPC said: “On the 18th day of February, 2026, at about 7 pm, the applicant was released to the DSS by the EFCC to be handed over to the commission.
“On the 19th day of February, 2026, the commission obtained a remand order to keep the applicant in its custody for 14 days, which will lapse on the 5th day of March, 2026.
“The commission has since confronted the applicant with the retrieved documents during its preliminary investigation activities, but the applicant has refused to respond to interviews to date.
“On the 19th day of February, 2026, the commission executed a duly signed search warrant on the premises of the applicant at No. 12 Mambila Street, Aso Drive, Asokoro District, Abuja.
“During the search, which was witnessed 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.
What you should know
El-Rufai has faced intense enforcement actions from anti-corruption and security agencies since his return to Abuja on 12 February from a trip to Cairo, Egypt. Security agents reportedly attempted to arrest him on his arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
On Monday, 16 February, the EFCC detained him at its headquarters in Abuja after he honoured an invitation for questioning regarding corruption allegations linked to his tenure as Kaduna State governor between 2015 and 2023.
Two days later, on Wednesday, 18 February, ICPC agents arrested him immediately after the EFCC released him on bail.
While in custody, the SSS filed charges of illegally intercepting National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu’s phone call.
The charges followed El-Rufai’s claim in an interview on an Arise Television programme that he, with someone, tapped Ribadu’s phone call to listen to him directing security operatives to detain him. He linked the alleged directive to his attempted arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on 12 February after his return from Egypt.
He was scheduled to be arraigned on the charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday. However, the arraignment could not take place as planned because the ICPC, which held him in custody, did not produce him.
Judge Joyce Abdulmalik then rescheduled the arraignment for 23 April.
El-Rufai has submitted different filings in court in response to the security agencies’ actions and possible plans against him.
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