The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has disclosed that it recovered wiretapping equipment allegedly capable of intercepting private conversations and accessing sensitive security documents from the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
According to court filings by the anti-graft agency, the suspected devices were retrieved during a search conducted at El-Rufai’s residence in the presence of his wife, Hadiza, and his son, Mohammed Bello. The commission stated that all items were duly documented during the operation.
The ICPC further alleged that the former governor declined to cooperate with investigators, opting to remain silent pending his appearance before a court of law. It also claimed that one of his aides linked to the ongoing investigation had fled the country.
The allegations were contained in processes filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, where El-Rufai is seeking redress and release from detention. The commission said it had earlier obtained a 14-day remand order from a Magistrate Court sitting in Bwari, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to detain the former governor. The order, it noted, is set to expire on Thursday.
Dismissing claims of arbitrary detention and political repression, the ICPC urged the High Court of Justice of the FCT to reject El-Rufai’s application alleging violations of his fundamental human rights.
In addition to the alleged wiretapping equipment, the commission stated that the former governor has corruption allegations to answer. These include questions over the whereabouts of €1.4 million; 180 suspicious payments totaling N2,158,799,199 from a Consolidated Revenue Account reportedly linked to Kaduna State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) account; and transfers to undisclosed accounts amounting to N428,122,180.18, among other transactions.
The matter is expected to proceed in court as both parties prepare to argue their positions before the High Court.
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