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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.
According to court filings by the anti-graft agency, the items were retrieved during a search conducted at El-Rufai’s residence in the presence of his wife, Hadiza El-Rufai, and his son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai.
The commission said it obtained a remand order from a Magistrate Court in Bwari, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to detain El-Rufai for 14 days. The order is set to expire on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
The ICPC denied allegations of arbitrary detention and repression of the former governor and urged the High Court of the FCT to dismiss his application alleging a violation of his fundamental human rights.
According to the commission, El-Rufai has corruption allegations to answer, including questions over the whereabouts of €1.4 million; 180 suspicious payments totalling N2,158,799,199 from a Consolidated Revenue Account linked to Kaduna State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) account; and transfers to undisclosed accounts amounting to N428,122,180.18, among other transactions.
The claims were contained in an affidavit deposed to by a litigation officer, David Efuk, before the High Court of the FCT, where El-Rufai is seeking redress and release from detention.
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 further claimed that an aide linked to the investigation had fled the country.
In court processes seeking the dismissal of the fundamental rights enforcement suit, the ICPC stated:
“On the 18th day of February, 2026, at about 7pm, 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 at the applicant’s residence 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, 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.”
The ICPC insisted that El-Rufai is being lawfully detained pursuant to a remand order issued by the Magistrate Court in Bwari, FCT, which granted the commission 14 days to keep him in custody to enable it to conduct investigations.
“Contrary to the depositions of the applicant in his supporting affidavit, he is lawfully held in the custody of the commission, and the commission has not breached any of his fundamental rights as claimed,” the agency said.
“ICPC does not arbitrarily arrest or detain suspects unlawfully, nor pose any physical danger to them.
“ICPC’s mandate is to investigate cases of corruption, abuse of office and related offences and, where there is prima facie evidence, prosecute alleged offenders.
“ICPC can only charge a person to court when investigations are concluded.
“Where investigation is ongoing, ICPC may request an alleged offender to report to its office daily until investigations are concluded or, where necessary, remand the alleged offender pending conclusion of investigations.
“ICPC undertakes to draw up charges against the applicant before the 5th day of March, 2026, when the detention order will lapse.
“It is in the interest of justice to dismiss his application for lacking merit and allow the commission to investigate the allegations thoroughly in the public interest.”
The commission said it followed due process in inviting El-Rufai based on a petition alleging corrupt practices.
It explained that it received a petition against the former two-term Kaduna State governor and subsequently commenced preliminary investigations, retrieving relevant documents from banks and other government institutions.
Upon concluding preliminary investigations, the commission said it made several efforts to invite El-Rufai to confront him with the documents obtained.
“Every attempt to invite the applicant via formal letters proved abortive,” it stated.
“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 EFCC and was detained.
“He was later granted administrative bail but was unable to meet the conditions and remained in EFCC custody.”
