By Abuja, Nigeria
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has claimed it recovered suspected wiretapping equipment capable of intercepting conversations and sensitive security documents from the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
The ICPC disclosed these details in processes filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where El-Rufai is seeking redress and challenging what he described as unlawful detention.
According to the anti-graft agency, the items were retrieved during a search conducted in the presence of El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza, and his son, Mohammed Bello. The commission further alleged in court filings that the former governor declined to cooperate with investigators, choosing to remain silent until he is formally arraigned before a court. It also stated that one of his aides linked to the investigation had fled the country.
The commission said it obtained a 14-day remand order from a Magistrate Court in Bwari, FCT, to detain the former governor. The order, it noted, is set to expire on Thursday. Denying allegations of arbitrary detention and repression, the agency urged the FCT High Court to dismiss El-Rufai’s application alleging violations of his fundamental human rights.
The ICPC also maintained that the former governor has serious corruption allegations to answer. These include questions surrounding the whereabouts of €1.4 million; 180 suspicious payments totaling N2,158,799,199 from a Consolidated Revenue Account linked to Kaduna State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) account; and additional transfers amounting to N428,122,180.18 to undisclosed accounts, among other claims.
