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By Oscar Okhifo, Abuja
Operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have raided the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, a move his legal team has described as unlawful and a violation of his fundamental rights.
The operation took place at his Aso Drive home in the Federal Capital Territory and was confirmed by El-Rufai’s media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye.
The raid comes amid ongoing investigations into alleged financial irregularities during his tenure as Kaduna governor between 2015 and 2023.
On 16 February, the former Minister of Federal Capital Territory, voluntarily reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following a petition by the Kaduna State House of Assembly over alleged mismanagement and diversion of public funds.
He spent two nights in EFCC custody answering questions related to the allegations.
After his release on bail by the EFCC on February 18, he was taken into ICPC custody, having also been invited for questioning as part of a separate investigation.
The ICPC’s Head of Media and Public Communications, John Okor Odey, confirmed on Wednesday, 18 February, that the former governor was in the commission’s custody.
The commission, however, did not disclose the specific allegations against him or indicate how long he would remain in custody.
El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, Criticized the raid, describing it as “unlawful” and “a violation of my client’s fundamental rights.” He added that “proper legal procedures were not followed.”
The former governor has also been linked to alleged attempts to intercept communications of national security officials, which remain under investigation by relevant agencies.
His legal team and supporters have condemned what they describe as repeated detentions by multiple agencies as “arbitrary and contrary to due process.”
For now, El-Rufai remains in ICPC custody. No formal court charges or arraignments have been made public, and investigations by anti-graft agencies continue.