El-Rufai family denies ICPC allegations, cites right to silence
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) said it recovered equipment allegedly capable of tapping conversations and sensitive security documents from the Abuja home of former Governor Nasir el-Rufai.
The commission also said it obtained a legal order from a Magistrate Court in Bwari in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to detain el-Rufai for 14 days, which is due to expire on Thursday, according to reports by The Nation.
The anti graft commission denied allegations of arbitrary detention and repression of the former governor.
This is as the commission has asked the High Court of Justice of the Federal Capital Territory to dismiss el-Rufai’s application alleging violation of his fundamental human rights.
ICPC said the former governor has corruption allegations to answer, including questions over the whereabouts of €1.4 million; 180 suspicious payments totalling N2,158,799,199 from a Consolidated Revenue Account linked to Kaduna State’s IGR account; and transfers to undisclosed accounts amounting to N428,122,180.18, among others.
The commission confirmed that an aide of the former governor, allegedly linked to the matter, has left the country.
ICPC made the claims in an affidavit deposed to by a Litigation Officer, David Efuk, before the High Court of Justice of the Federal Capital Territory, where el-Rufai is seeking redress and release from detention.
The commission said all the suspected items were retrieved in the presence of the former governor’s wife, Hadiza, and his son, Mohammed.
The agency also alleged that the former governor declined to cooperate with investigators, opting to remain silent until he is brought before a court.
It added that an aide of the former minister linked to the investigation had escaped from the country.
The anti-graft body made the claims in processes filed before the court, seeking the dismissal of the fundamental human rights enforcement suit.
ICPC said: “On the 18th day of February, 2026, at about 7 pm, the applicant was released to the DSS by the EFCC to be handed over to the commission.
“On the 19th day of February, 2026, the commission obtained a remand order to keep the applicant in its custody for 14 days, which will lapse on the 5th day of March, 2026.
“The commission has since confronted the applicant with the retrieved documents during its preliminary investigation activities, but the applicant has refused to respond to interviews to date.
“On the 19th day of February, 2026, the commission executed a duly signed search warrant on the premises of the applicant at No. 12 Mambila Street, Aso Drive, Asokoro District, Abuja.
“During the search, which was witnessed by the applicant’s wife, Hadiza Isma el-Rufai, and his son, Hon. Mohammed Bello el-Rufai, the commission retrieved sensitive security documents capable of compromising national security.
“The applicant, on national television (Arise Television), admitted to tapping telephone conversations of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
“During the search operations, the commission retrieved electronic magnetic equipment allegedly capable of tapping conversations.
“He was asked to give consent to enable the commission access the equipment, but he refused. A copy of the consent form is attached and marked Exhibit ICPC 5.
“The search also retrieved sensitive security documents of various security agencies of the government.
“The applicant is also allegedly threatening likely prosecution witnesses, and one such witness has written to the commission seeking protection. A copy of the letter is attached and marked Exhibit ICPC 6.”
The ICPC insisted that el-Rufai was lawfully detained pursuant to a remand order issued by a Magistrate Court in Bwari, FCT.
It said the court granted the commission 14 days to keep him in custody to enable it conduct investigations.
It said: “Contrary to the 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 his fundamental rights as claimed.
“ICPC does not arbitrarily arrest or detain suspects unlawfully, nor pose any physical danger to them.
“ICPC’s mandate is to investigate cases of corruption, abuse of office and related offences, and where there is prima facie evidence, prosecute alleged offenders.
“ICPC can only charge a person to court when investigations are concluded.
“Where investigation is ongoing, ICPC may request an alleged offender to report to its office daily until investigations are concluded or, where necessary, remand the alleged offender pending conclusion of investigations.
“ICPC undertakes to draw up charges against the applicant before the 5th of March, 2026, when the detention order will lapse.
“It is in the interest of justice to dismiss his application for lacking merit and allow the commission to investigate the allegations thoroughly in the public interest.”
ICPC said it followed due process in inviting el-Rufai based on a petition alleging corrupt practices.
It said: “The commission received a petition against the applicant, a former two-term Governor of Kaduna State.
“Thereafter, the commission began preliminary investigations into the allegations contained in the petition and retrieved relevant documents from banks and other government institutions.
“Upon conclusion of preliminary investigations, the commission made several efforts to invite the applicant to confront him with documents retrieved during the investigation.
“Every attempt to invite the applicant via formal letters proved abortive.
“On the 5th day of February, 2026, the commission received information about the applicant’s arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
“Operatives of the Department of State Services were contacted to assist in arresting him, but the attempt was unsuccessful.
“The commission later located the applicant’s residence at Aso Drive, Abuja, and formally served him with an invitation letter to appear before the commission on the 13th day of February, 2026, at 10am.
“The applicant, through his legal representatives, requested to honour the invitation on the 18th day of February, 2026.
“Before the agreed date, he had honoured an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and was detained.
“He was later granted administrative bail but was unable to meet the conditions and remained in EFCC custody.”
The petition against el-Rufai alleged serious discrepancies in the state’s debt profile.
Cash withdrawals in foreign currency amounting to €1.4 million, with the purpose allegedly unclear.
Alleged diversion of public revenue by failure to remit funds into the TSA account.
Use of a debit card on a revenue bank account, with total transactions amounting to N721,672,854.88.
Alleged violation of Section 3.3.1 of Kaduna State Financial Policies and Procedures Manual 2016.
Diversion of funds to individuals and companies amounting to N393,752,670.05.
Transfers to undisclosed accounts totalling N428,122,180.18.
Suspicious payments (180) amounting to N2,158,799,199 from a Consolidated Revenue Account linked to Kaduna State IGR.
The petition further alleged: “The past administration collected about N98.912 billion as domestic loans for developmental projects in Kaduna State.
“The past administration also collected over $7,366,070,222.5 as foreign loans to be serviced by the people of Kaduna State.
“Our findings showed that while the Kaduna State Government between 2015 and 2023 embarked on ambitious projects, some were allegedly executed in contravention of procurement laws.
“It is alleged that only a few projects were completed, while several were abandoned despite full payment to contractors.
“Of concern was the alleged disregard for the Kaduna State Public Procurement Law, 2016.”
In a statement on oath to the ICPC, el-Rufai said he was being persecuted as an opposition figure.
He stated that he would exercise his right to silence until arraigned before a court.
He said: “I am a leading member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which I consider the only surviving opposition party in Nigeria, and that is the real reason I am being investigated.
“Regarding this question and any other questions, I have, on the advice of counsel, decided to exercise my right to silence.
“I believe that after nearly two years of intensive investigation, the ICPC should present its findings before a judicial tribunal and not to me.
“I will respond to any allegations only in a court of law. I do not believe these investigations amount to law enforcement.
“This is political persecution which only a judge can decide upon.”
EL-Rufai’s Family Fights Back
However, the family of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed allegations, describing the claims as false and politically motivated.
In a statement issued on March 2, 2026, and signed by Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, the family accused the anti-corruption agency of conducting a smear campaign and misrepresenting the outcome of a search carried out at the former governor’s property.
The family defended El-Rufai’s decision not to respond to investigators, stating that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to remain silent.
They rejected claims that his silence amounted to non-cooperation, insisting that no negative inference should be drawn from the exercise of a constitutional right.
According to the statement, El-Rufai had repeatedly challenged authorities to file charges if evidence existed against him.
The family also denied the ICPC’s claim that sophisticated phone-tapping equipment and sensitive security documents were recovered during the search.
They maintained that only old personal mobile phones, flash drives, and laptops — common personal devices — were seized, describing the alleged equipment as fictitious.
The statement further alleged that the search was based on a forged warrant, claiming it was fraudulently issued by a magistrate purportedly acting with High Court authority.
The family said their legal team has challenged the warrant in court, arguing that any evidence obtained through an unlawful search is inadmissible.
The El-Rufai family said it would pursue all available legal remedies to challenge what it described as defamatory statements and executive overreach, expressing confidence in the Nigerian judiciary to uphold their rights.
They also called for peace and prayers during the Ramadan period, urging Nigerians to promote unity and stability across the country.
