ICPC details documents, devices seized from El-Rufai’s residence

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has revealed the list of documents and electronic devices allegedly recovered from the Abuja home of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

The disclosure was contained in court filings submitted before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in opposition to a N1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by El-Rufai. The former governor had challenged what he described as his unlawful arrest, detention, and the search of his residence last month.

In its response, the ICPC urged the court to dismiss the suit, maintaining that its operatives acted under a valid search warrant issued on February 18 and executed on February 19 between 1:37pm and 3:56pm at 12 Mambilla Street, Asokoro, Abuja.

According to the commission, the operation was carried out in the presence of officers of the Nigeria Police Force and witnessed by El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza El-Rufai, and his son, Mohammed El-Rufai.

Items Allegedly Recovered

The ICPC stated that documents seized during the search included investor account statements, asset declaration forms, business registration certificates, corporate compliance records, client Know-Your-Customer files, and records of domestic and foreign loans approved by the Kaduna State House of Assembly between 2015 and 2023.

Other materials reportedly recovered were share certificates from Ecobank Nigeria Plc, land documents, deeds of assignment, irrevocable Powers of Attorney linked to multiple properties, Afri-Venture Capital Company documents, valuation reports, payment mandates, and media materials from the Office of the former governor.

The commission also listed nine flash drives, one memory card, seven hard drives, multiple laptops — including Apple MacBook Pro and Elumac Book Pro models — and various mobile phones such as Blackberry, Nokia N95, Toshiba, Samsung IDEOS, Google IDEOS devices, and 18 other gadgets. A Remarkable tablet and its chargers were also said to have been seized.

The ICPC noted that all items were documented, sealed, and recorded in a Device Documentation Form capturing serial numbers, storage capacity, and accessories. It added that El-Rufai indicated in the documentation that he did not grant consent for access to the devices recovered.

The commission said the materials would undergo forensic examination as part of ongoing investigations into alleged corruption and asset concealment.

Family Pushback

Reacting to the development, El-Rufai’s family accused the commission of attempting to criminalise his silence during interrogation.

In a statement signed by his son, Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives, the former governor challenged the anti-graft agency to file charges if evidence exists.

“Charge me, if you have anything against me. You have had more than two years to investigate me. Take me to court, please,” the statement quoted him as saying.

The family insisted that his silence was an exercise of his constitutional right and not an admission of guilt. They also disputed the scope of the items allegedly recovered, claiming that only old personal mobile phones and storage devices were taken.

Furthermore, the family described the search warrant as invalid and fraudulently obtained, stating that their legal team had already challenged it in court.

Since leaving office in 2023, El-Rufai has faced multiple investigations. In 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly called for a probe into the alleged diversion of N423 billion during his administration. He had also previously been arrested by the State Security Service and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The ICPC, however, maintained that its actions were lawful and consistent with its statutory mandate to investigate corruption and related offences.