By By Elizabeth Ugbo
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission obtained court approval on Thursday to examine electronic devices seized from former Kaduna governor Nasir Ahmad El‑Rufai. The order was granted by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja after an application filed by the anti-graft agency. The devices were recovered during a February 19 search of El-Rufai’s residence as part of an ongoing investigation.
Court Authorises Forensic Examination
Justice Abdulmalik granted the order after hearing an ex parte motion presented by ICPC counsel, Osuobeni Akponimisingha.
The lawyer urged the court to allow investigators to open and inspect the devices. He explained that the agency needed access for forensic examination and data extraction.
Consequently, the court authorised the commission to analyse all relevant information stored on the devices.
The ruling permits investigators to review documents, WhatsApp messages, text messages, call logs, photographs and other digital records.
Electronic Devices Listed in the Court Order
The court order covers several electronic devices recovered from El-Rufai’s Abuja residence.
These items include:
- Sony HD-EGS storage device
- ITB Transcend storage device
- Toshiba storage device
- Samsung mobile phone
- Nokia N95 8GB mobile phone
- Blackberry mobile phone
- Google IDEOS phone
Other devices listed in the order include:
- Samsung storage device (SPO802N)
- Remarkable tablet
- Apple MacBook Pro laptop
- Seagate FreeAgent Desk external drive
- ZTE mobile phone
- Ten flash drives
- One Microcell memory card
Investigators will analyse these devices as part of the ongoing probe.
El-Rufai Challenges Search of His Residence
Meanwhile, El-Rufai has challenged the search conducted at his residence in court.
In a fundamental rights enforcement suit, he asked the court to declare the operation illegal.
The former governor argued that the search violated his constitutional rights to dignity, liberty, privacy and fair hearing.
He cited Sections 34, 35, 36 and 37 of the Nigerian Constitution in his application.
The suit, filed by his lawyer Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), also seeks several court orders.
Former Governor Demands Return of Seized Items
El-Rufai asked the court to stop authorities from using the seized items in any investigation or prosecution.
He also requested an order directing the ICPC and the police to return all confiscated devices.
In addition, he demanded a detailed inventory of items taken from his residence.
The former governor further asked the court to award him N1 billion in general, exemplary and aggravated damages.
The respondents listed in the suit include the ICPC, the Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrates’ Court, the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
ICPC and Police Defend Search Operation
However, the ICPC stated that it acted on a petition filed against the former governor.
According to the commission, the petition triggered an investigation that led to the search operation.
The agency said its operatives executed the warrant on February 19 between 1:37pm and 3:56pm.
Officials of the Nigeria Police Force accompanied the ICPC team during the operation.
Authorities also said the search took place in the presence of El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza El‑Rufai, and his son, Mohammed El‑Rufai.
Police Insist Search Followed Legal Procedure
In a separate counter-affidavit, the police defended the search.
Inspector Ewa Anthony stated that the force has statutory authority to detect, investigate and prosecute crimes.
The police also maintained that officers executed the operation under a valid court-issued search warrant.
Therefore, the force asked the court to dismiss El-Rufai’s suit.
Events Leading to the Investigation
The investigation began after El-Rufai returned from Cairo, Egypt, on February 12, 2026.
He honoured an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on February 16.
Authorities detained him following the meeting.
He later secured administrative bail on February 18 but was immediately taken into custody by the ICPC.
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services filed a separate case against him.
The agency accused the former governor of wire-tapping the phone line of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
