Operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have conducted a search at the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, as investigations into alleged financial misconduct gather momentum
The search was confirmed on Thursday by Muyiwa Adekeye, media aide to el-Rufai, who disclosed that ICPC officials visited the ex-governor’s Aso Drive home. His counsel, Ubong Akpan, faulted the move, insisting it violated due process and infringed on his client’s fundamental rights.
The development comes barely 24 hours after el-Rufai was taken into custody by the ICPC on Wednesday night. Prior to that, he had reportedly spent two nights in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before being transferred to the Department of State Services (DSS).
El-Rufai had earlier honoured an invitation from the EFCC on Monday, presenting himself at the agency’s Abuja headquarters over allegations of financial impropriety during his tenure as Kaduna State governor between 2015 and 2023.
The investigation stems from a 2024 report by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which accused him of diverting N423 billion in public funds and engaging in money laundering. The lawmakers subsequently urged anti-corruption agencies to probe the allegations.
There were also earlier attempts by security operatives to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after his return from Cairo.
In response, el-Rufai alleged that the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, directed the ICPC to involve the DSS in his arrest. During a television interview, he further claimed to have listened to a telephone conversation in which the National Security Adviser allegedly ordered his arrest, stating that the call had been intercepted.
The DSS later filed a three-count charge against him, accusing him of unlawfully intercepting a telephone conversation involving the National Security Adviser.
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