The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it has seized sophisticated surveillance equipment from the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
According to an agency statement released Monday, the recovered devices are suspected of being used for eavesdropping on private conversations and accessing classified security files.
The raid was conducted in the presence of El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza, and his son, Mohammed Bello.
The commission further disclosed that the former governor has declined to cooperate with investigators, opting to remain silent until formal court proceedings begin.
Additionally, the ICPC noted that an associate linked to the case has reportedly fled the country.
These revelations were contained in court filings as El-Rufai challenges his ongoing detention.
The commission confirmed it is currently holding the former governor under a 14-day warrant issued by a Bwari Magistrate Court, which is set to expire this Thursday.
The anti-corruption agency said: “On the 18th day of February, 2026, at about 7 pm, the applicant was released to the DSS by the EFCC to be handed over to the commission.
“On the 19th day of February, 2026, the commission obtained a remand order to keep the applicant in its custody for 14 days, which will lapse on the 5th day of March, 2026.
“The commission has since confronted the applicant with the retrieved documents during its preliminary investigation activities, but the applicant has refused to respond to interviews to date.
“On the 19th day of February, 2026, the commission executed a duly signed search warrant on the premises of the applicant at No. 12 Mambila Street, Aso Drive, Asokoro District, Abuja.
“During the search, which was witnessed by the applicant’s wife, Hadiza Isma el-Rufai, and his son, Hon. Mohammed Bello el-Rufai, the commission retrieved sensitive security documents capable of compromising national security.
“The applicant, on national television (Arise Television), admitted to tapping telephone conversations of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
“During the search operations, the commission retrieved electronic magnetic equipment allegedly capable of tapping conversations.”
The ICPC has filed a counter-affidavit with the Federal Capital Territory High Court, dismissing Nasir El-Rufai’s claims of unlawful detention and rights suppression.
The commission is urging the court to throw out the former governor’s fundamental rights suit, citing several unresolved financial discrepancies.
Key among these irregularities is the whereabouts of €1.4 million and a series of 180 suspicious transactions totaling N2,158,799,199 from Kaduna State’s revenue consolidation account.
Additionally, investigators are seeking clarity on unexplained transfers amounting to N428,122,180.18 sent to various private accounts.
The former governor has faced intense scrutiny since his February 12 return from Egypt, when security agencies reportedly attempted to apprehend him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
He was subsequently taken into EFCC custody on February 16 regarding graft allegations from his eight-year tenure.
Within 48 hours of his EFCC release on February 18, ICPC operatives immediately detained him for further questioning.
During his detention, the State Security Service (SSS) brought forward accusations of unauthorized monitoring of a call involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
The probe was triggered by El-Rufai’s own admission during an Arise TV appearance that he helped intercept a conversation featuring Nuhu Ribadu.
He claimed the audio contained orders for security forces to arrest him upon his arrival at the airport on February 12.
Persecondnews reports that legal proceedings hit a snag on Wednesday when the ICPC failed to bring the former governor to the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Presiding Judge Joyce Abdulmalik has since rescheduled the hearing for April 23.
Meanwhile, El-Rufai has launched a series of legal counter-offensives to contest what he describes as a coordinated effort by security agencies to undermine his freedom.
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