Court Grants ICPC Access to Examine Devices Recovered from El-Rufai’s Home

The Federal High Court on Thursday granted the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) permission to access and analyse electronic devices recovered from the residence of former Nasir El-Rufai, ex-Governor of Kaduna State.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik approved the order following an ex-parte motion filed by ICPC’s lawyer, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, which sought authorisation to inspect, conduct forensic examinations, and extract data from the devices as part of an ongoing investigation into the former governor.

According to reports, operatives recovered 14 electronic devices from El-Rufai’s Abuja residence. The items include a Sony HD-EGS storage device, ITB Transcend storage device, Toshiba storage device, Samsung and Nokia mobile phones, a Blackberry device, Google IDEOS phone, Samsung storage device (SPO802N), Remarkable tablet, Apple MacBook Pro, Seagate FreeAgent desk external drive, ZTE mobile phone, ten flash drives, and a microSD card.

The ex-parte motion forms part of case FHC/ABJ/CS/499/2026, titled Federal Republic of Nigeria vs. Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai. Separately, El-Rufai is challenging the search in another suit seeking ₦1 billion in damages, under case FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, filed on February 20 by Oluwole Iyamu.

In his fundamental rights enforcement suit, El-Rufai alleges that the February 19 search of his residence at 12 Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, violated his rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy under Sections 34, 35, 36, and 37 of the Nigerian Constitution. He also argues that any evidence obtained from the search is inadmissible and is seeking an injunction to prevent its use in proceedings against him.

El-Rufai further demands the immediate return of all seized items with an inventory and claims ₦1 billion in general, exemplary, and aggravated damages.

In response, ICPC maintained that the search followed a valid warrant issued on February 18 and executed on February 19 between 1:37 pm and 3:56 pm at the former governor’s residence.

The commission stated that the operation, which involved the Nigeria Police Force, was witnessed by El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza El-Rufai, and his son, Mohammed. ICPC urged the court to dismiss the suit, asserting that its actions were lawful and part of a legitimate investigation.

The Nigeria Police Force, through a counter-affidavit deposed by Insp. Ewa Anthony, also defended the search, emphasising that it was conducted under a valid court order and in full compliance with legal procedures.

The police argued that El-Rufai’s suit attempts to use the court as a shield against ongoing investigations and potential prosecution.

The case remains pending before the Federal High Court, with the authorization enabling ICPC to continue its forensic examination of the recovered devices.