ICPC Recovers Wiretapping Equipment And Sensitive Security Documents From El-Rufai’s Abuja Home

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said that it recovered suspected wiretapping equipment allegedly capable of intercepting private conversations and accessing sensitive security documents from the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

The anti-graft agency disclosed this in court processes filed before Court in FCT, where El-Rufai is challenging his detention and seeking enforcement of his fundamental human rights, according to The Nation.

According to the commission, the items were retrieved during a search of El-Rufai’s residence in Abuja. It stated that the operation was conducted in the presence of his wife, Hadiza, and his son, Mohammed Bello.

The ICPC further alleged that the former governor declined to cooperate with investigators, choosing to remain silent pending his appearance before a court of law. It also claimed that an aide linked to the investigation had fled the country.

In its court processes, the commission denied allegations of arbitrary detention and political repression, insisting that its actions were backed by lawful authority. It said it obtained a detention order from a Magistrate Court in Bwari, within the FCT, authorising El-Rufai’s remand for 14 days.

The order, according to the agency, is set to expire on Thursday.

The court processes read;

 “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.

“The applicant is also allegedly threatening likely prosecution witnesses, and one such witness has written to the commission seeking protection. A copy of the letter is attached and marked Exhibit ICPC 6.”

ICPC said it followed due process in inviting El-Rufai based on a petition alleging corrupt practices

It said: “The commission received a petition against the applicant, a former two-term Governor of Kaduna State.

“Thereafter, the commission began preliminary investigations into the allegations contained in the petition and retrieved relevant documents from banks and other government institutions.

“Upon conclusion of preliminary investigations, the commission made several efforts to invite the applicant to confront him with documents retrieved during the investigation.

“Every attempt to invite the applicant via formal letters proved abortive.

“On the 5th day of February, 2026, the commission received information about the applicant’s arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

“Operatives of the Department of State Services were contacted to assist in arresting him, but the attempt was unsuccessful.

“The commission later located the applicant’s residence at Aso Drive, Abuja, and formally served him with an invitation letter to appear before the commission on the 13th day of February, 2026, at 10am.

“The applicant, through his legal representatives, requested to honour the invitation on the 18th day of February, 2026.
“Before the agreed date, he had honoured an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and was detained.

“He was later granted administrative bail but was unable to meet the conditions and remained in EFCC custody.”
 
The commission also detailed multiple corruption allegations against the former governor.

These include questions surrounding the whereabouts of €1.4 million; 180 suspicious payments totalling N2,158,799,199 from a Consolidated Revenue Account allegedly linked to Kaduna State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) account; and transfers to undisclosed accounts.