The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has provided a detailed account of documents and electronic devices it said were recovered from the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
The disclosure was contained in court filings before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, where the anti-graft agency is challenging a N1 billion fundamental rights suit filed by El-Rufai. The former governor claims his arrest, detention and the search of his home last month were unlawful.
In its response, the ICPC asked the court to dismiss the suit, maintaining that the operation was carried out under a valid search warrant issued on 18 February and executed the following day at 12 Mambilla Street, Asokoro, Abuja. The commission said the search took place between 1:37pm and 3:56pm and was conducted in the presence of officers from the Nigeria Police Force. It added that El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza, and his son, Mohammed, witnessed the exercise.
According to the commission, materials recovered from the residence included investor account statements, asset declaration forms, business registration certificates and corporate compliance documents, as well as client Know-Your-Customer files. It also listed documents relating to the African Democratic Congress welfare secretary, records of domestic and foreign loans approved by the Kaduna State House of Assembly between 2015 and 2023, and interim investigation reports involving El-Rufai and his associates.
Other items named in the filings include share certificates from Ecobank Nigeria Plc, land and property documents, student financial service papers, valuation reports, deeds of assignment, powers of attorney, Afri-Venture Capital Company records, payment mandates and media materials from the former governor’s office.
The ICPC said several electronic devices were also seized, including flash drives, memory cards, hard drives, laptops such as Apple MacBook Pro and Elumac Book Pro models, and multiple mobile phones of different brands. A Remarkable tablet and related accessories were also listed. The agency stated that all items were documented and sealed for forensic examination, with serial numbers and storage details recorded in a device documentation form. It added that El-Rufai declined consent for access to the devices.
In response, El-Rufai’s family accused the ICPC of attempting to criminalize his constitutional right to remain silent during questioning. Bello El-Rufai, his son and House of Representatives member, said:
“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 also disputed the extent of items seized, claiming only personal effects were taken.
“We were present during the seizure. No equipment other than old personal mobile phones, flash drives, and laptops were taken,” the statement read.
They further alleged the search warrant was invalid and fraudulently obtained, adding, “Our lawyers have challenged this illegitimate warrant in a court of competent jurisdiction.”
Since leaving office in 2023, El-Rufai has faced several investigations. In 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly ordered a probe into the alleged diversion of N423 billion during his tenure. He has also previously been arrested by the State Security Service and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
El-Rufai remains in ICPC custody, with his detention said to have delayed his arraignment on separate phone-tapping charges. The commission has maintained that its actions were lawful and in line with its mandate to investigate corruption and related offences