The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Thursday carried out a search at the residence of Malam Nasir El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State, in a development that has further intensified public attention around ongoing investigations involving the ex-governor.
The raid was first disclosed by El-Rufai’s media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, who announced the action via a social media post on Thursday. According to the statement, operatives of the anti-corruption agency conducted a search of El-Rufai’s residence earlier in the day.
Reacting to the development, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, strongly criticised the operation, describing it as unlawful and a clear violation of established legal procedures and the former governor’s fundamental rights. Akpan argued that the search did not comply with due process and accused the authorities of overreach in the handling of the matter.
Shortly after reports of the raid emerged, the ICPC confirmed that El-Rufai is currently in its custody. The commission, however, did not immediately provide detailed information on the scope of the investigation or the specific allegations prompting the search of his residence.
The latest action follows a series of events involving multiple security and anti-graft agencies. Earlier in the week, El-Rufai was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) shortly after he was granted bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). His arrest by the DSS reportedly took place soon after his release from EFCC custody on Wednesday.
According to available reports, the DSS is investigating allegations that El-Rufai unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. The allegations have not yet been tested in court, and no formal charges have been publicly announced.
As the situation continues to unfold, the involvement of multiple security agencies and the strong objections raised by El-Rufai’s legal team have sparked renewed debate about due process, inter-agency coordination, and the rule of law in high-profile investigations.
