The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has intensified its investigation into former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, with operatives raiding his Abuja residence on Thursday.
The search of the property comes just a day after the anti-graft agency confirmed that El-Rufai was in its custody in connection with an ongoing probe into his eight-year tenure as governor.
Muyiwa Adekeye, the media adviser to the former governor, confirmed the development in a brief statement. According to Adekeye, ICPC officials arrived at the residence around 2 p.m. and immediately commenced a search of the entire property.
El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, who was present during the operation, condemned the raid, describing it as “unlawful and a clear violation of legal procedures and fundamental rights.”
On Wednesday, ICPC’s Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, had confirmed El-Rufai’s detention, stating: “Malam Nasiru El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State, is in our custody as of the close of work today, Wednesday, the 18th day of February, 2026. He is in the custody of the Commission in connection with investigations.”
The commission has not released further details regarding the specific nature of the case.
Thursday’s raid represents the latest chapter in a series of legal and security challenges facing the former governor.
Last week, El-Rufai revealed on X (formerly Twitter) that he had received an invitation from the ICPC following what he described as a “futile attempt to abduct” him. “My lawyer has written to confirm that I will be attending the ICPC office on Wednesday, 18 February 2026,” he had posted.
Days prior to that, the former governor had visited the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja over separate allegations of financial improprieties during his tenure from 2015 to 2023.
The situation has been further complicated by a controversial phone-tapping allegation. The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a three-count charge against El-Rufai for allegedly intercepting a phone conversation belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Prosecutors allege that El-Rufai’s actions contravene Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024. El-Rufai had previously claimed that someone had “wiretapped” Ribadu’s phone, enabling him to intercept instructions for his arrest upon his return from Cairo, Egypt.
As of press time, the ICPC has not issued a statement regarding the outcome of the search or whether any materials were retrieved from the property.
Discussion about this post