The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it recovered devices allegedly capable of intercepting phone conversations, along with sensitive security documents, during a search of the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
According to the commission, the items were retrieved in the presence of El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza, and his son, Mohammed Bello, during the operation at the residence.
The anti-graft agency further alleged that the former governor refused to cooperate with investigators, choosing to remain silent pending his appearance before a court. It also claimed that one of his aides connected to the investigation had fled the country.
These assertions were contained in court filings submitted by the commission in response to El-Rufai’s suit seeking his release from detention and redress.
The ICPC disclosed that it secured a 14-day remand order from a Magistrate Court in Bwari, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to detain the former governor. The order is expected to expire on Thursday.
Dismissing claims of arbitrary detention and political persecution, the commission urged the High Court of the FCT to reject El-Rufai’s application alleging a breach of his fundamental human rights.
The commission added that the former governor has several corruption allegations to answer, including questions surrounding the whereabouts of €1.4 million; 180 questionable transactions amounting to N2.15 billion from a Consolidated Revenue Account linked to Kaduna State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR); and transfers totalling N428.12 million to undisclosed accounts, among other issues.
