ICPC Details Items Taken From El-Rufai’s Home

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on Monday told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja what, when, where, why and how items were recovered from the home of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

The commission made the disclosure in court papers filed to oppose a N1bn suit brought by the former governor over his arrest, detention and the search of his house in Asokoro last month.

According to the commission, its officers carried out the search on February 19 at 12 Mambilla Street, Asokoro, Abuja, after obtaining a warrant dated February 18.

The operation lasted for a little over two hours in the afternoon. Police officers accompanied the team, and members of El-Rufai’s family were present during the exercise.

In its filing, the agency listed documents it said were taken from the house. These included investor account records, asset declaration papers, company registration certificates, compliance documents, client identification files, and records linked to political associates.

It also listed papers relating to loans approved by the Kaduna State House of Assembly between 2015 and 2023, as well as reports said to be connected to ongoing investigations.

Other documents named by the commission included bank share certificates, land papers, student finance records, property valuation reports, deeds of assignment, powers of attorney for properties, company files linked to venture capital interests, payment instructions and publicity materials from El-Rufai’s time in office.

The commission also gave details of electronic items it said were seized. These included several flash drives, memory cards, hard drives, laptops of different brands, mobile phones of various models, and a tablet device with its accessories.

The agency stated that all items were recorded, sealed and set aside for forensic review. It added that serial numbers and storage details of the devices were captured in official forms signed by witnesses present during the search.

The commission said the former governor noted in the documentation that he did not give consent for access to the devices. It maintained that the search was lawful and carried out within its powers to investigate corruption and related offences.

El-Rufai’s family later responded through a statement issued by his son, Bello El-Rufai, who serves in the House of Representatives.

The family argued that the agency was trying to treat his silence during questioning as proof of wrongdoing. They insisted that keeping silent was his right under the law.

They also disagreed with the list of items released by the commission, stating that only personal belongings and old electronic devices were taken from the house.

The family further claimed that the search warrant was not valid and said their lawyers had challenged it in court. They argued that the process used to obtain the warrant was improper.

Since leaving office in 2023, El-Rufai has faced different investigations. In 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly called for a probe into alleged diversion of funds during his time as governor.

He has also been questioned by security and anti-corruption agencies in the past. Reports indicate that he remains in the custody of the ICPC, and his detention has delayed proceedings in another case relating to alleged phone interception.

The commission, however, insists that its actions followed due process and that investigations are ongoing.