The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has provided details of documents and electronic gadgets it claimed were obtained from the Abuja residence of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
The disclosure was contained in court papers filed before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in response to a N1bn fundamental rights enforcement suit instituted by the ex-governor over his arrest, detention and the search of his home.
In its counter-affidavit, the commission maintained that its officers acted on the strength of a lawful search warrant issued on February 18 and executed the following day at his residence in Asokoro.
The agency stated that the operation, which lasted for over two hours, was carried out alongside operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and was witnessed by his wife and son.
According to the ICPC, materials recovered during the search included financial records, asset declaration documents, corporate registration papers, compliance files, loan approvals by the Kaduna State House of Assembly between 2015 and 2023, and investigation reports allegedly connected to the former governor and his associates.
It also listed property documents, share certificates, valuation papers, powers of attorney, venture capital records, payment instructions and publicity materials from his tenure as part of the items taken.
The commission said several electronic devices were equally seized, among them flash drives, hard disks, laptops, mobile phones and a tablet, all of which were documented and sealed pending forensic analysis.
It added that detailed documentation capturing the serial numbers and specifications of the devices was prepared, noting that El-Rufai declined to grant consent for access to the gadgets.
However, the former governor’s family, in a statement signed by his son, Bello, faulted the commission’s position, alleging that only personal and outdated devices were removed. They also challenged the validity of the search warrant in court, while the ICPC insisted its actions were consistent with its statutory duty to investigate corruption-related allegations.
