The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission says it recovered equipment that can allegedly intercept conversations from the home of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El Rufai in Abuja, the agency told a court on Monday.
According to an affidavit filed before the High Court of Justice in the Federal Capital Territory, the commission said it executed a search warrant at El-Rufai’s residence on 19th February 2026 and found “electronic magnetic equipment allegedly capable of tapping conversations,” along with sensitive security documents.
The search was carried out at his home on Mambila Street, Aso Drive, Asokoro District and was witnessed by his wife, Hadiza Isma El-Rufai, and his son, Mohammed, the ICPC said.
The anti-graft agency said the equipment could compromise national security and is part of ongoing investigations into allegations against El-Rufai.
In the affidavit, the ICPC said it obtained the search warrant from a Magistrate Court in Bwari, FCT, and legally detained the former governor for 14 days, a period that is due to expire this week.
The commission denied claims of arbitrary detention and said it followed due process in inviting and detaining El-Rufai based on a petition alleging corrupt practices.
It also asked the FCT High Court to dismiss El-Rufai’s suit challenging his detention, which was filed as a fundamental rights enforcement suit.
In documents before the court, the ICPC listed several allegations against El-Rufai, including questions over the whereabouts of €1.4 million, hundreds of suspicious payments totalling ₦2.1 billion from a state revenue account, and transfers of ₦428 million to unidentified accounts.
The ICPC also told the court that one of El-Rufai’s aides linked to the investigation has left the country.
The agency said El-Rufai refused to cooperate fully with investigators, declining to give consent to access the recovered equipment.
El-Rufai has filed his own court challenge, claiming the search of his home was unlawful, but the ICPC said his suit should be dismissed so it can continue its investigation.
