The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on Monday disclosed details of documents and electronic devices allegedly recovered from the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
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The anti-graft agency made the disclosures in court filings before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, opposing a N1bn fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the former governor.
El-Rufai had challenged what he described as his illegal arrest, detention, and the search of his residence last month.
In the court filings, the ICPC urged the court to dismiss the suit, insisting 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.
The commission said its officials were accompanied by personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, and that the exercise was witnessed by El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza El-Rufai, and his son, Mohammed El-Rufai.
Items allegedly recovered included investor account statements, asset declaration forms, certificates of registration for business entities, corporate compliance records, client Know-Your-Customer files, documents linked to the African Democratic Congress welfare secretary, records of domestic and foreign loans approved by the Kaduna State House of Assembly from 2015 to 2023, and interim investigation reports involving El-Rufai and associates.
Other materials reportedly seized included Ecobank Nigeria Plc share certificates, land documents, student financial services papers, valuation reports, deeds of assignment, irrevocable Powers of Attorney for multiple properties, Afri-Venture Capital Company documents, payment mandates, and media/publicity materials from the Office of the ex-governor.
Electronic devices recovered reportedly included nine flash drives, one memory card, seven hard drives, multiple laptops including Apple MacBook Pro and Elumac Book Pro models, mobile phones including Blackberry, Nokia N95, Toshiba, Samsung IDEOS, Google IDEOS, 18 other devices, and a Remarkable tablet with chargers.
The commission said all items were documented and sealed for forensic analysis.
The ICPC stated that a detailed Device Documentation Form captured serial numbers, types, storage details, and accessories of the gadgets, and that the operation was witnessed by Hadiza El-Rufai, Mohammed El-Rufai, Ajibade Abiodun, and Asjuquo J.E.
The commission acknowledged that El-Rufai noted in the documentation that he did not grant consent for access to any of the devices found in his home.
The ICPC said the materials would undergo forensic examination as part of ongoing investigations into alleged corruption and asset concealment.
Reacting in a statement on Monday, 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 said, “Charge me, if you have anything against me. You have had more than 2 years to investigate me. Take me to court, please.”
The family maintained that his silence was an exercise of his constitutional right, not evidence of guilt, and described attempts to draw adverse inferences as reflecting an “inquisitorial mindset” by the commission.
They also disputed the scope of items recovered, insisting only personal effects were taken.
“We were present when these items were seized. No equipment other than old discarded personal mobile phones… storage devices like flash drives and laptops… were seized from the property,” the statement read.
The family further alleged that the search warrant was invalid and fraudulently procured, adding, “Our lawyers have challenged this illegitimate warrant in a court of competent jurisdiction.”
Since leaving office in 2023, El-Rufai has faced multiple probes. In 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly called for an investigation into the alleged diversion of N423 billion during his administration.
He was previously arrested by the State Security Service and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and remains in ICPC custody, with his detention reportedly stalling his arraignment on separate phone-tapping charges.
The ICPC maintained that its actions were lawful and in line with its statutory mandate to investigate corruption and related offences.
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