Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission Traces Luxury Properties In Egypt To Former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai – Report

 Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission Traces Luxury Properties In Egypt To Former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai – Report

Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has reportedly uncovered several high-value real estate properties in Cairo, Egypt allegedly linked to former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

According to a report by TheCable, investigators traced at least six luxury properties connected to the former governor in the Egyptian capital.

Sources familiar with the investigation revealed that the assets include three luxury villas as well as several upscale apartments located in high-end districts of Cairo.

The villas were reportedly found in the prestigious Arabella Estate and Banafsik Estate areas, both situated in New Cairo. Properties in these estates are said to sell for between $1 million and $1.3 million each.

In addition, investigators allegedly traced several apartments linked to the former governor to Cairo Festival City, where individual units are estimated to cost around $500,000.

Sources also claimed that the properties may have been acquired between 2021 and 2023, during El-Rufai’s second term as governor of Kaduna State.

The discovery has sparked renewed public interest because El-Rufai had previously stated that he owned only one house.

In a 2023 interview conducted in Hausa, the former governor reportedly said that his only property was a house located on Danja Street in the Unguwan Sarki area of Kaduna.

El-Rufai served as governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023 and is currently under investigation by the ICPC over allegations of financial misconduct during his time in office.

Reports indicate that the former governor has been in the custody of the anti-corruption agency since February 18 as part of the ongoing probe.

During the investigation, operatives of the ICPC reportedly searched his residence in Abuja, where certain electronic surveillance equipment was allegedly discovered.

Prior to his detention by the ICPC, El-Rufai had also been questioned by the Department of State Services (DSS) over claims that the telephone line of Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, was intercepted.

The DSS later filed charges against him in connection with the alleged phone interception.

The investigation into the former governor partly follows findings by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which reportedly accused him of involvement in the diversion of about ₦423 billion in public funds and possible money laundering activities.

Meanwhile, El-Rufai’s legal team has criticised the ICPC over his continued detention.

His lead lawyer, Ubong Akpan, accused the anti-corruption agency of violating legal procedures and holding his client without formally charging him before a competent court.

The legal team has demanded El-Rufai’s immediate release, a public apology published in national newspapers, and ₦2 billion in damages for what they described as unlawful detention.