The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) announced the seizure of various documents and electronic devices during a search of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s Abuja home. These details emerged in court filings opposing a N1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by El-Rufai, who claims the search was unlawful.
In the documents submitted to the Federal Capital Territory High Court, the ICPC argues that its operatives conducted the search based on a valid warrant issued on February 18 and executed the following day. During this operation, personnel from the Nigeria Police Force accompanied the ICPC agents, who conducted the search in the presence of El-Rufai’s family members.
Items reportedly recovered from the home include investor account statements, asset declaration forms, business registration certificates, and various documents related to loans approved by the Kaduna State House of Assembly from 2015 to 2023. Additionally, several electronic devices were seized, including multiple laptops, flash drives, mobile phones, and hard drives, all of which have been sealed for forensic examination.
El-Rufai has contested the legality of the search and has called for the charges against him to be made public, emphasizing his right to remain silent during questioning. His family has accused the ICPC of attempting to criminalize this silence and has challenged the validity of the search warrant, claiming it was fraudulently obtained.
Since stepping down in 2023, El-Rufai has been at the center of multiple investigations, including an inquiry into allegations of diverting N423 billion during his tenure. He has previously faced arrests by both the State Security Service and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
As of now, the ICPC maintains that its operations were executed lawfully, adhering to its mandate to investigate corruption in public office.
