THE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Monday disclosed extensive details of documents and electronic devices allegedly recovered from the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, during a search operation last month.
News Point Nigeria reports that the disclosures were contained in court filings before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, where the anti-graft agency is opposing a N1bn fundamental rights enforcement suit instituted by El-Rufai.
In its filings, the commission urged the court to dismiss the suit, insisting 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.
The ICPC stated that its officials were accompanied by personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, and that the search was witnessed by El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza El-Rufai, and his son, Mohammed El-Rufai.
El-Rufai had approached the court challenging what he described as his illegal arrest, detention, and the search of his residence.
According to the commission, items recovered during the search included investor account statements, asset declaration forms, certificates of registration for business entities, corporate compliance records, client Know-Your-Customer files, and documents linked to the African Democratic Congress welfare secretary.
Other materials reportedly seized included records of domestic and foreign loans approved by the Kaduna State House of Assembly between 2015 and 2023, interim investigation reports involving El-Rufai and associates, Ecobank Nigeria Plc share certificates, land documents, valuation reports, deeds of assignment, and irrevocable Powers of Attorney for multiple properties.
The ICPC further listed Afri-Venture Capital Company documents, payment mandates, student financial services papers, and media/publicity materials from the Office of the former governor among the recovered items.
The commission also detailed electronic devices allegedly taken from the residence. These reportedly included nine flash drives, one memory card, seven hard drives, multiple laptops including Apple MacBook Pro and Elumac Book Pro models — and several mobile phones such as Blackberry, Nokia N95, Toshiba, Samsung IDEOS, and Google IDEOS devices.
A Remarkable tablet, chargers, and 18 additional electronic devices were also listed.
The ICPC stated that all items were documented and sealed for forensic examination as part of ongoing investigations into alleged corruption and asset concealment.
It added that a detailed Device Documentation Form captured serial numbers, storage capacities, and accessories of each gadget, and that the process was witnessed by Hadiza El-Rufai, Mohammed El-Rufai, Ajibade Abiodun, and Asjuquo J.E.
However, 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.
Reacting to the court filings, the former governor’s family accused the ICPC 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 commission to formally arraign him.
“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 maintained that his silence during questioning was an exercise of his constitutional right and not evidence of guilt. They described attempts to draw adverse inferences as reflecting an “inquisitorial mindset.”
They also disputed the breadth of items recovered, insisting that only personal effects were seized.
“We were present when these items were seized. No equipment other than old discarded personal mobile phones and storage devices like flash drives and laptops were taken from the property,” the statement read.
Furthermore, the family alleged that the search warrant was invalid and fraudulently procured, adding that their lawyers had challenged its legality 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 was previously arrested by the State Security Service and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He remains in ICPC custody, with his detention reportedly delaying his arraignment on separate phone-tapping charges.
The ICPC, however, maintained that its actions were lawful and in line with its statutory mandate to investigate corruption and related offences.