By Folayimika Akanbi
Embattled former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, may have been in fresh trouble following the alleged retrieval of a facility that could be used to tap telephone conversations from his residence in Abuja.
Operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) made the recovery.
Also retrieved were sensitive security documents, Wind Gate News has learnt.
The commission said all the suspected items were retrieved in the presence of the former governor’s wife, Hadiza, and his son, Mohammed.
Recall that el-Rufai, while appearing on a live television, admitted to wire-tapping the conversation of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, after he accused the presidential aide of ordering his arrest upon his return from Cairo, Egypt.
This is just as the commission disclosed that 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 a Litigation Officer, David Efuk, deposed to before the High Court of Justice of the Federal Capital Territory, where el-Rufai is seeking redress and release from detention.
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.
According to The Nation, the anti-graft body made the claims in processes filed before the court, seeking the dismissal of the fundamental human rights enforcement suit.
ICPC said: “On the 18th day of February, 2026, at about 7 pm, the applicant was released to the DSS by the EFCC to be handed over to the commission.
“On the 19th day of February, 2026, the commission obtained a remand order to keep the applicant in its custody for 14 days, which will lapse on the 5th day of March, 2026.
“The commission has since confronted the applicant with the retrieved documents during its preliminary investigation activities, but the applicant has refused to respond to interviews to date.
“On the 19th day of February, 2026, the commission executed a duly signed search warrant on the premises of the applicant at No. 12 Mambila Street, Aso Drive, Asokoro District, Abuja.”
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