ICPC says it found “phone-tapping equipment” in El-Rufai’s home

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that it recovered electronic equipment “capable of tapping conversations” during a search of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s residence.

The anti-graft agency made the claim in a counter-affidavit opposing Mr El-Rufai’s fundamental rights suit challenging his arrest and detention over alleged corruption while in office between 2015 and 2023.

Mr El-Rufai is asking the court to declare his detention unlawful and award him N1 billion in damages. In his affidavit, as reported by Premium Times, he declined to answer questions about the allegations, citing his constitutional right to remain silent, and described the investigation as politically motivated.

ICPC’s Allegations

The ICPC said it received a petition accusing Mr El-Rufai and officials of his administration of financial misconduct involving state loans, procurement processes and transfers from government accounts.

It stated: “Contrary to depositions of the Applicant in his supporting affidavit, he is lawfully held in the custody of the Commission and the Commission has not breached any of the fundamental rights of the Applicant as claimed.”

The commission said it issued an invitation letter after preliminary investigations but could not serve it earlier because Mr El-Rufai was outside the country. It added that he was later detained after being released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

On 19 February, the ICPC obtained a 14-day remand order from a Chief Magistrate Court in Bwari to hold him pending investigation into alleged money laundering and abuse of office. The commission told the High Court it intends to file charges before the order expires.

Search of Abuja Residence

The ICPC said it executed a search warrant at Mr El-Rufai’s home in Asokoro, Abuja, in the presence of his wife, Hadiza, and his son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai.

According to the filing, the commission recovered “sensitive security documents capable of compromising nation security” and “electronic magnetic equipment capable of tapping conversations.” It also said Mr El-Rufai declined to grant consent for forensic access to some recovered devices.

Mr El-Rufai had earlier been charged by the federal government after he claimed on national television that he received information from someone who tapped into a phone communication of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

In a statement posted on X, Mr El-Rufai’s son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, dismissed the claims as fictitious. He said the items seized were “old discarded personal mobile phones… storage devices like flash drives and laptops,” and accused the commission of portraying his father’s silence as non-cooperation.

The ICPC has asked the court to dismiss the suit and allow it to conclude its investigation.