By Emmanuel Iriogbe, Abuja.
The noose around the neck of detained former Kaduna state governor, Malam el-Rufai tightened over the weekend as the the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has maintained that it lawfully detained him after recovering damaging equipments in his apartment .
The equipment are said to be capable of tapping conversations and accessing sensitive security documents.
In an affidavit deposed to by a Litigation Officer, David Efuk, before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, the commission said it obtained a 14-day remand order from a Magistrate Court in Bwari, FCT, to detain the former governor. The order is expected to lapse on March 5, 2026.
The anti-graft agency denied allegations of arbitrary detention and political repression, urging the High Court to dismiss El-Rufai’s fundamental human rights enforcement suit for lacking merit. Alleged Recovery of Sensitive Equipment According to the ICPC, a search warrant was executed on February 19, 2026, at No. 12 Mambila Street, Aso Drive, Asokoro District, Abuja, in the presence of El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza Isma El-Rufai, and his son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai. The commission claimed it retrieved electronic magnetic devices allegedly capable of intercepting communications, as well as sensitive security documents belonging to various government agencies. It further alleged that El-Rufai declined to grant consent for investigators to access the equipment and refused to respond to interview questions, opting instead to exercise his right to silence until formally arraigned in court. The agency also claimed that one of his aides linked to the investigation had fled the country and that a potential prosecution witness had sought protection over alleged threats. Detention and Investigation The ICPC said it began investigating El-Rufai following a petition alleging corrupt practices during his tenure as governor. It stated that preliminary investigations involved retrieving documents from banks and government institutions. According to the affidavit, efforts to invite the former governor through formal letters were unsuccessful until he was located at his Abuja residence and served with an invitation letter. The commission noted that he had earlier been detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and was later transferred to its custody. The ICPC insisted that it followed due process and acted within its statutory mandate to investigate corruption and related offences. It said charges would be filed before the expiration of the detention order. Corruption Allegations The petition against El-Rufai includes allegations of: Unclear cash withdrawals in foreign currency amounting to €1.4 million 180 suspicious payments totalling N2.15 billion from a Consolidated Revenue Account linked to Kaduna State’s IGR Transfers of N428.12 million to undisclosed accounts Diversion of public funds and alleged violations of procurement laws Use of a debit card on a revenue account involving transactions of N721.67 million Domestic and foreign loans allegedly mismanaged during his administration The petition further questioned the execution of projects funded by loans and alleged breaches of the Kaduna State Public Procurement Law, 2016. El-Rufai’s Response In a statement on oath, El-Rufai denied wrongdoing and described the investigation as political persecution. He said he is a leading member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and claimed his opposition role was the real reason behind the probe. He maintained that he would only respond to the allegations in a court of law, stating that he was exercising his constitutional right to remain silent until arraigned before a judicial tribunal. The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory is expected to determine the legality of his detention and whether the ICPC can proceed with prosecution as investigations continue.