The Digest:
The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) permission to access and analyze electronic devices recovered from former Kaduna Governor Nasir el-Rufai's residence. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik approved the order following an ex parte motion by ICPC lawyer Osuobeni Akponimisingha. The commission seeks to inspect, conduct forensic examinations, and extract data from 14 devices linked to its investigation of the former governor. Recovered items include laptops, storage devices, mobile phones (Samsung, Nokia, Blackberry, Google IDEOS, ZTE), a Remarkable tablet, ten flash drives, and a microSD card. The motion is part of case FHC/ABJ/CS/499/2026. El-Rufai is simultaneously challenging the search in a separate fundamental rights suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026), seeking N1 billion in damages and alleging constitutional violations. ICPC maintains that the search was conducted under a valid warrant, witnessed by el-Rufai's wife and son.
Key Points:
- Court grants ICPC access to analyse 14 electronic devices from el-Rufai's home.
- Devices include laptops, phones, storage devices, flash drives, and tablets.
- Forensic examination to aid investigation into former governor.
- El-Rufai separately challenges the search and seeks N1bn damages.
- ICPC insists the search was lawful, conducted under a valid warrant.
As el-Rufai fights to block evidence, the court hands ICPC the keys to his digital world, 14 devices that may hold the answers investigators seek.
Sources: Court Order
