ICPC recovers wiretapping equipment from Nasir El-Rufai over alleged espionage

*The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission says it recovered electronic magnetic equipment allegedly capable of tapping conversations, and sensitive security documents from the Abuja home of Malam Nasir el-Rufai

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has disclosed it recovered certain equipment allegedly capable of tapping conversations and sensitive security documents from the Abuja home of Malam Nasir el-Rufai, a former Governor of Kaduna State, Northern Nigeria.

ConsumerConnect reports this development followed Malam el-Rufai’s recent self-confessed participation in espionage network while featuring in a private television programme, and his subsequent arrest by security agents for interrogation and detention.

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He, while on the live television show, admitted to tapping telephone conversations of Malam Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser (NSA).

The Commission affirmed that all the suspected espionage cum wire-tapping items were retrieved in the presence of the former governor’s wife, Hadiza, and his son, Mohammed, in Abuja.

Earlier, el-Rufai had honoured an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and was detained.

The EFCC later granted him administrative bail, but was unable to meet the conditions and remained in EFCC custody.

The ICPC said it had equally secured an arrest warrant to detain the former Minister for the FCT for two weeks over misappropriation of over N428 million while in office as the Kaduna Governor.

However, the anti-graft said el-Rufai has declined to cooperate with investigators into the allegations against him.

The anti-corruption Commission also said it had 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 Thursday this week.

It was gathered the ICPC as well refuted allegations of arbitrary detention and repression of the former governor.

The Commission has asked the High Court of Justice of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, to dismiss el-Rufai’s application, alleging violation of his fundamental human rights.

The ICPC has reiterated that el-Rufai 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 purportedly, linked to the matter has disappeared and left the West African 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 again, alleged that el-Rufai declined to cooperate with investigators, opting to remain silent until he is brought before a court of law.

The anti-graft body made the claims in processes filed before the court, seeking the dismissal of the fundamental human rights enforcement suit.

It stated: “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 anti-corruption body said: “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.”

The Commission further noted: “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, Malam Nuhu Ribadu.”

It explained: “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 Commission said the action followed its preliminary investigations into the allegations contained in a petition, and retrieved relevant documents from banks and other government institutions.

The ICPC stated: “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, therefore, insisted that Malam el-Rufai was lawfully detained pursuant to a remand order issued by a Magistrate Court, in Bwari, FCT.

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.”

The Commission said: “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.”

The anti-corruption agency declared: “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 restated that it followed due process in inviting el-Rufai for interrogation and detention, based on a petition alleging corrupt practices as a former Governor of Kaduna State.

Barrage of allegations against el-Rufai

The petition against Malam el-Rufai alleged the following:

• 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 also 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.

It further alleged: “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.”

The petition noted: “Of concern was the alleged disregard for the Kaduna State Public Procurement Law, 2016.”

However, in a statement on oath to the ICPC, Malam el-Rufai said he is being “persecuted as an opposition figure” in Nigeria.

The diminutive political actor stated that he would exercise his right to ” “silence” until arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.

“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,” he noted.

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