…According to the ICPC, items recovered included investor account statements, asset declaration forms,
ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Monday revealed details of documents and electronic gadgets it said were recovered from the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
The disclosure was contained in court processes filed before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in opposition to a N1bn fundamental rights enforcement suit instituted by the former governor.
El-Rufai is challenging what he termed his unlawful arrest, detention and the search of his home carried out last month.
In its filings, ICPC urged the court to dismiss the suit, maintaining that its operatives acted on a valid search warrant issued on February 18 and executed on February 19 between 1:37pm and 3:56pm at 12 Mambilla Street, Asokoro, Abuja.
The agency stated that its officials were accompanied by personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and that the exercise was witnessed by El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza El-Rufai, and his son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai.
According to the ICPC, items recovered included investor account statements, asset declaration forms, business registration certificates, corporate compliance records, Know-Your-Customer files, documents linked to the African Democratic Congress welfare secretary, and records of domestic and foreign loans approved by the Kaduna State House of Assembly between 2015 and 2023. Interim investigation reports involving El-Rufai and his associates were also listed.
Other materials said to have been seized comprised Ecobank Nigeria Plc share certificates, land documents, student financial services papers, valuation reports, deeds of assignment, irrevocable powers of attorney for several properties, Afri-Venture Capital Company records, payment mandates, and media and publicity materials from the former governor’s office.
The commission further disclosed that nine flash drives, one memory card, seven hard drives, multiple laptops including Apple MacBook Pro and Elumac Book Pro models, mobile phones of different brands, 18 additional devices and a Remarkable tablet with chargers were recovered. It said all items were documented, sealed and prepared for forensic examination.
The ICPC added that a detailed device documentation form captured serial numbers, storage capacity and accessories of the gadgets, and that the operation was witnessed by Hadiza El-Rufai, Mohammed El-Rufai, Ajibade Abiodun and Asjuquo J.E.
The agency acknowledged that El-Rufai indicated in the documentation that he did not consent to access to any of the devices retrieved from his residence. It, however, maintained that the materials would undergo forensic analysis as part of ongoing investigations into alleged corruption and asset concealment.
Reacting in a statement on Monday, the former governor’s family accused the commission of attempting to criminalise his silence during interrogation.
In the statement signed by his son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives, the former governor was quoted as saying, “Charge me, if you have anything against me. You have had more than two years to investigate me. Take me to court, please.”
The family insisted that his silence was a constitutional right and not proof of wrongdoing, describing any attempt to draw adverse inferences as reflective of an “inquisitorial mindset.”
They also disputed the extent of the items allegedly recovered, claiming that only personal effects were taken.
“Our lawyers have challenged this illegitimate warrant in a court of competent jurisdiction,” the statement added.
Since leaving office in 2023, El-Rufai has faced multiple investigations. In 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly called for a probe into the alleged diversion of N423bn during his tenure.
He was previously arrested by the State Security Service and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and is currently in ICPC custody, with his detention reportedly delaying his arraignment on separate phone-tapping charges.
The ICPC maintained that its actions were lawful and in line with its statutory mandate to investigate corruption and related offences.
