The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Monday revealed details of documents and electronic devices allegedly recovered from the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
The disclosure was contained in court filings before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, where the anti-graft agency is opposing a N1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the former governor.
El-Rufai had challenged his arrest, detention, and the search of his home last month, describing the actions as illegal.
In response, the ICPC urged the court to dismiss the suit, emphasizing that its operatives acted under a valid search warrant issued on February 18 and executed on February 19 between 1:37 p.m. and 3:56 p.m. at No. 12 Mambilla Street, Asokoro, Abuja.
The commission also noted that the operation was carried out alongside officers of the Nigeria Police Force and witnessed by El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza El-Rufai, and his son, Mohammed El-Rufai.
According to the ICPC, a wide range of materials was recovered during the search.
Documents allegedly seized included investor account statements, asset declaration forms, certificates of registration for business entities, corporate compliance records, and client Know-Your-Customer files.
The commission also listed papers 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 investigative reports involving El-Rufai and his associates.
Other materials reportedly collected included share certificates from Ecobank Nigeria Plc, land ownership documents, student financial services records, property valuation reports, deeds of assignment, and irrevocable powers of attorney for multiple properties. Afri-Venture Capital Company documents, payment mandates, and media/publicity materials from the former governor’s office were also reportedly seized.
The ICPC emphasized the seizure of electronic devices as a critical part of the operation. Recovered gadgets included nine flash drives, one memory card, seven hard drives, and multiple laptops, including Apple MacBook Pro and Elumac Book Pro models.
Several mobile phones—ranging from Blackberry and Nokia N95 to Samsung and Google IDEOS models—were also reportedly collected, alongside 18 additional devices and a Remarkable tablet with chargers.
All items were documented and sealed for forensic analysis.
The agency explained that a detailed Device Documentation Form captured serial numbers, device types, storage details, and accessories.
The process was witnessed by Hadiza El-Rufai, Mohammed El-Rufai, Ajibade Abiodun, and Asjuquo J.E.
The ICPC acknowledged that El-Rufai noted he did not give consent for investigators to access the electronic devices but insisted that the seizure was legally justified and part of an ongoing corruption investigation.
In response, El-Rufai’s family accused the ICPC of attempting to criminalize his silence during interrogation.
In a statement signed by his son, Bello El-Rufai, the former governor maintained that his silence was a constitutional right, not an indication of guilt.
“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 read.
The family also disputed the commission’s account of the items recovered. They claimed that only personal effects were taken from the property, including old mobile phones, flash drives, and laptops.
They described the ICPC’s characterization of the seizure as misleading and said the agency exaggerated the scope of the items collected.
Furthermore, the El-Rufai family challenged the validity of the search warrant. They alleged that it was fraudulently procured and invalid, and their lawyers have already filed legal proceedings in a competent court contesting the legitimacy of the operation.
The case has drawn attention to the tension between anti-corruption enforcement and the protection of fundamental rights.
Legal experts highlight that while the ICPC has powers to investigate allegations of corruption and asset concealment, searches and seizures must be conducted in strict compliance with constitutional safeguards.
As the matter progresses at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, key issues include the legality of the Abuja search warrant, the scope of electronic devices seized, and whether El-Rufai’s rights were infringed.
The ICPC maintains that forensic examination of the seized materials is critical to ongoing investigations into alleged corruption, while El-Rufai’s team argues that his rights and constitutional protections must be respected.
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