ICPC recovers wiretapping equipment from El-Rufai, ex-gov’s top aide flees

Elrufai

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) said it recovered equipment allegedly capable of tapping conversations and sensitive security documents from the Abuja home of former Governor Nasir el-Rufai.

The commission also said it obtained a legal order from a Magistrate Court in Bwari in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to detain el-Rufai for 14 days, which is due to expire on Thursday.

It denied allegations of arbitrary detention and repression of the former governor.

The commission has asked the High Court of Justice of the Federal Capital Territory to dismiss el-Rufai’s application alleging violation of his fundamental human rights.

ICPC said the former governor has corruption allegations to answer, 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 IGR account; and transfers to undisclosed accounts amounting to N428,122,180.18, among others.

The commission confirmed that an aide of the former governor, allegedly linked to the matter, has left the country. ICPC made the claims in an affidavit deposed to by a Litigation Officer, David Efuk, before the High Court of Justice of the Federal Capital Territory, where el-Rufai is seeking redress and release from detention.

The commission said all the suspected items were retrieved in the presence of the former governor’s wife, Hadiza, and his son, Mohammed.

The agency also alleged that the former governor declined to cooperate with investigators, opting to remain silent until he is brought before a court.

It added that an aide of the former minister linked to the investigation had escaped from the country.