The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said it recovered suspected wiretapping equipment from the Abuja home of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El Rufai.
The anti graft body made the disclosure in court documents submitted before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where El Rufai is contesting his detention and asking the court to enforce his fundamental human rights.
The commission stated that the items were found during a search conducted at El Rufai’s residence in Abuja. It added that the search was carried out in the presence of his wife, Hadiza, and his son, Mohammed Bello.
According to the ICPC, the equipment recovered “is capable of intercepting private conversations and accessing sensitive security documents.” It also claimed that an aide connected to the investigation has left the country and alleged that the former governor refused to cooperate with investigators, choosing to remain silent until he appears before a court.
In its filing, the commission rejected claims of unlawful detention and political targeting, maintaining that its actions were carried out under lawful authority. It explained that it secured a remand order from a Magistrate Court in Bwari, FCT, allowing El Rufai to be held for 14 days.
The agency further stated that El Rufai was released to the Department of State Services on February 18, 2026, before being transferred to the commission the next day. It noted that the remand order remains valid for 14 days and will expire on March 5, 2026.
The commission also disclosed that it has presented the recovered documents to the former governor during preliminary questioning, but said he has so far declined to answer the questions.
