The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Monday disclosed the details of documents and electronic devices allegedly recovered from the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in filings before the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
The disclosures were made as the commission opposed a N1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by El-Rufai, who challenged what he described as his illegal arrest, detention, and the search of his home last month.
According to the ICPC, its operatives acted under a valid search warrant issued on February 18 and executed on February 19 between 1:37 p.m. and 3:56 p.m. at 12 Mambilla Street, Asokoro, Abuja. The exercise was reportedly conducted in the presence of Nigeria Police Force personnel and witnessed by El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza El-Rufai, and his son, Mohammed El-Rufai.
The commission listed the items allegedly recovered as investor account statements, asset declaration forms, business registration certificates, corporate compliance records, client Know-Your-Customer files, documents linked to the African Democratic Congress welfare secretary, records of domestic and foreign loans approved by the Kaduna State House of Assembly from 2015 to 2023, and interim investigation reports involving El-Rufai and associates. Additional materials reportedly included Ecobank Nigeria Plc share certificates, land documents, student financial service papers, valuation reports, deeds of assignment, irrevocable Powers of Attorney for multiple properties, Afri-Venture Capital Company documents, payment mandates, and media/publicity materials from the former governor’s office.
Electronic devices reportedly seized included nine flash drives, one memory card, seven hard drives, multiple laptops including Apple MacBook Pro and Elumac Book Pro models, mobile phones including Blackberry, Nokia N95, Toshiba, Samsung IDEOS, Google IDEOS, 18 other devices, and a Remarkable tablet with chargers. The ICPC stated all items were documented and sealed for forensic analysis, with a detailed Device Documentation Form capturing serial numbers, types, storage details, and accessories, witnessed by Hadiza El-Rufai, Mohammed El-Rufai, Ajibade Abiodun, and Asjuquo J.E. The commission acknowledged that El-Rufai noted in the documentation that he did not grant consent for access to any of the devices.
The ICPC said the materials would undergo forensic examination as part of ongoing investigations into alleged corruption and asset concealment.
In response, El-Rufai’s family accused the commission of attempting to criminalise his silence during interrogation. In a statement signed by his son, Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives, the family said, “Charge me, if you have anything against me. You have had more than 2 years to investigate me. Take me to court, please.” They maintained that his silence was an exercise of his constitutional right and not evidence of guilt, describing attempts to draw adverse inferences as reflecting an “inquisitorial mindset” by the commission.
The family also disputed the scope of items recovered, insisting only personal effects were taken. “We were present when these items were seized. No equipment other than old discarded personal mobile phones… storage devices like flash drives and laptops… were seized from the property,” the statement read. They further alleged that the search warrant was invalid and fraudulently procured, adding that their lawyers had challenged it in a court of competent jurisdiction.
Since leaving office in 2023, El-Rufai has faced multiple probes. In 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly called for an investigation into the alleged diversion of N423 billion during his administration. He has previously been arrested by the State Security Service and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and remains in ICPC custody, with his detention reportedly delaying his arraignment on separate phone-tapping charges.
The ICPC maintained that its actions were lawful and consistent with its statutory mandate to investigate corruption and related offences.
