ICPC brings exhibits recovered from El-Rufai to court

The documents recovered from El-Rufai’s Abuja home have been formally listed in court filings, as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, moves to block a N1bn lawsuit filed by former Kaduna State governor over alleged unlawful arrest and search.

The ICPC on Monday disclosed details of materials it allegedly recovered during a search of the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

The revelations were contained in documents filed before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, where the commission is opposing a N1bn fundamental rights enforcement suit brought by El-Rufai.

The former governor had challenged what he described as his illegal arrest, detention, and the search of his residence carried out last month.

In its response, the ICPC urged the court to dismiss the suit, maintaining that its operatives acted within the law. According to the filings, the agency executed a valid search warrant issued on February 18 and carried out the operation on February 19 between 1.37pm and 3.56 pm at 12 Mambilla Street, Asokoro, Abuja.

The commission further stated that its officials were accompanied by personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, and that the search was witnessed by El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza El-Rufai, and his son, Mohammed El-Rufai.

According to the court filings, materials allegedly retrieved during the search include:

• Investor account statements
• Asset declaration forms
• Certificates of registration for business entities
• Corporate compliance records
• Client Know-Your-Customer (KYC) files
• Documents linked to the welfare secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC)
• Records of domestic and foreign loans approved by the Kaduna State House of Assembly between 2015 and 2023.
• The ICPC insists the operation followed due legal process and was not a violation of the former governor’s rights.

  The case now shifts to the courtroom, where the High Court will determine whether the search was lawful and whether El-Rufai’s rights were breached.

  No date has been announced for the next hearing.