El-Rufai Camp Slams Alleged Home Raid
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, spent a second night in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Thursday, following protests by his lawyers over the search of his residence.
El-Rufai was first detained on Monday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and released late Wednesday, only to be immediately taken into ICPC custody, where he has remained since.
Before the arrest, El-Rufai, through his lawyers, had written to the ICPC indicating his willingness to honour an invitation on Tuesday. The development followed an incident at the airport where his passport was reportedly seized by operatives of the Department of State Services.
An ICPC official confirmed on Thursday night that the former governor was still with the commission but declined to disclose details of the investigation.
“He is still very much with us. I can’t say the offence he is being investigated for,” the source said.
Earlier, the ICPC had confirmed taking El-Rufai into custody on Wednesday night but also refused to specify the nature of the probe. Unverified reports suggest the investigation may be linked to the failed N11.1bn Joint Venture Kaduna light rail project.
Meanwhile, El-Rufai’s media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, said operatives of the ICPC searched the former governor’s residence on Aso Drive, Abuja.
His lawyer, Ubong Akpan, condemned the search as unlawful, describing it as a violation of due process and fundamental rights.
“The Aso Drive residence of Malam Nasir El-Rufai was today searched by the ICPC. Ubong Akpan, Malam El-Rufai’s lawyer, condemned the action as unlawful and a clear violation of legal procedures and fundamental rights,” Adekeye said.