Operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have reportedly recovered wiretapping equipment capable of intercepting conversations and sensitive security documents from the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The recovery was said to have taken place during a search operation carried out in the presence of El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza, and his son, Mohammed Bello. The claim was highlighted by former Kaduna State Commissioner of Information, Alhaji Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, in a Facebook post on Monday, February 16, 2026. According to the post, which cited ICPC court filings, the commission alleged that El-Rufai refused to cooperate with investigators and chose to remain silent until brought before a court.
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The ICPC further stated in processes filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory that: An aide linked to the investigation had fled the country.
The agency obtained a 14-day detention order from a Magistrate Court in Bwari, FCT, which expires on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
El-Rufai faces corruption allegations, including questions over the whereabouts of €1.4 million, 180 suspicious payments totalling N2,158,799,199 from a Consolidated Revenue Account linked to Kaduna State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) account, and transfers to undisclosed accounts amounting to N428,122,180.18, among others.
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The anti-graft body denied allegations of arbitrary detention or repression and urged the High Court to dismiss El-Rufai’s fundamental rights enforcement suit claiming violation of his rights.
Context of Ongoing Legal Battles El-Rufai has been in custody since voluntarily reporting to the EFCC on February 16, 2026. He was later transferred to ICPC custody. The former governor is facing multiple probes, including: A money laundering charge involving approximately ₦9 billion (EFCC case). Alleged terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms (DSS case) and The current ICPC matter involving alleged wiretapping of the National Security Adviser’s communications.
His legal team has described the actions as politically motivated and an abuse of state power, vowing to challenge the proceedings in court.
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This is a developing story with serious legal and political implications ahead of the 2027 elections.
DDNewsOnline – Lagos
By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
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