The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has disclosed details of documents and electronic devices allegedly recovered from the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
The anti-graft agency made the disclosure in court filings before the Federal Capital Territory High Court while opposing a N1bn fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the former governor.
El-Rufai had challenged what he described as his illegal arrest, detention and the search of his residence carried out last month.
In its filings, the ICPC urged the court to dismiss the suit, insisting that its operatives acted based on a valid search warrant issued on February 18 and executed on February 19 at his residence in Asokoro, Abuja.
The commission stated that its officials were accompanied by personnel of the Nigeria Police Force during the operation, which it said was witnessed by members of El-Rufai’s family and associates.
According to the agency, items recovered included investor account statements, asset declaration forms, certificates of registration for business entities, corporate compliance records and documents relating to loans approved by the Kaduna State House of Assembly between 2015 and 2023.
Other materials reportedly seized comprised land documents, valuation reports, deeds of assignment, powers of attorney for properties, share certificates and media materials from the former governor’s office.
The commission also listed electronic devices recovered during the search, including flash drives, hard drives, laptops, mobile phones and a tablet, noting that all items were documented and sealed for forensic analysis.
The ICPC said the materials would undergo examination as part of ongoing investigations into alleged corruption and asset concealment.
Reacting to the development, El-Rufai’s family accused the commission of attempting to criminalise his silence during interrogation, describing his decision not to speak as a constitutional right.
In a statement signed by his son, Bello El-Rufai, the family maintained that only personal items were taken from the residence and disputed the validity of the search warrant.
They added that their lawyers had challenged the warrant in court.
The ICPC, however, maintained that its actions were lawful and in line with its statutory mandate to investigate corruption and related offences.
The matter is expected to be determined by the court in the ongoing fundamental rights suit.
