A Federal High Court in Abuja has 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.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the order on Thursday after hearing an ex-parte motion moved by ICPC counsel, Osuobeni Akponimisingha.
The commission had sought the court’s authorisation to inspect the devices, conduct forensic examinations and extract data from them as part of its ongoing investigation involving the former governor.
Akponimisingha told the court that the order was necessary to enable investigators carry out forensic analysis of items seized during a search conducted at El-Rufai’s Abuja residence.
Devices Recovered during Search
About 14 electronic devices were reportedly recovered by ICPC operatives during the search.
The items include a Sony HD-EGS storage device, a 1TB Transcend storage device, a Toshiba storage device, a Samsung mobile phone, a Nokia N95 (8GB) phone, a Blackberry mobile phone and a Google IDEOS phone.
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Other items listed are a Samsung device (SP0802N), a Remarkable tablet, an Apple MacBook Pro, a Seagate FreeAgent Desk external drive, a ZTE mobile phone, 10 flash drives and a Microcell memory card.
The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/499/2026 between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and El-Rufai, was subsequently granted by the court.
El-Rufai Challenges Search in N1bn Suit
Meanwhile, El-Rufai’s N1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit challenging the search of his residence is still pending before the same court.
The former governor, who has been in ICPC custody since February 18, reportedly denied investigators access to the devices recovered from his home.
In the suit filed on February 20 through his lawyer, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), El-Rufai joined the ICPC, the Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrates’ Court, the Nigeria Police Force and the Office of the Attorney‑General of the Federation as respondents.
He asked the court to declare that the invasion and search of his residence at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, on February 19 at about 2 p.m. by ICPC operatives and police officers constituted a violation of his fundamental rights.
According to him, the action breached his rights to dignity of the human person, personal liberty, fair hearing and privacy as guaranteed under Sections 34, 35, 36 and 37 of the Constitution.
El-Rufai further urged the court to declare that any evidence obtained through the search warrant is inadmissible, arguing that it was procured in breach of constitutional safeguards.
He also asked the court to restrain the respondents from relying on, using or tendering any items seized during the search in any investigation or prosecution against him.
In addition, he urged the court to order the ICPC and the Inspector-General of Police to immediately return all items seized from his residence and provide a detailed inventory of them.
The former governor is also seeking N1 billion in general, exemplary and aggravated damages.
ICPC, Police Defend Operation
Responding in a counter-affidavit, the ICPC said it received a petition against El-Rufai and commenced an investigation based on the allegations, which led to the search of his residence.
The commission maintained that the operation was carried out pursuant to a valid search warrant issued on February 18 and executed the following day between 1:37 p.m. and 3:56 p.m. at No. 12 Mambilla Street, Asokoro, Abuja.
It added that the exercise was conducted in the presence of police officers and witnessed by El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza El‑Rufai, and his son, Mohammed El‑Rufai.
Similarly, the police, in a counter-affidavit deposed to by Inspector Ewa Anthony, argued that the force has statutory powers to detect, arrest, investigate and prosecute offenders.
The police insisted that the search was carried out on the strength of a valid warrant issued by a competent court and that all due legal procedures were followed.
According to the police, the applicant is attempting to use the court process to shield himself from ongoing security investigations.
The respondents therefore urged the court to dismiss the suit in its entirety.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
