ICPC Links Egypt Properties to Former Kaduna Governor El-Rufai

ICPC Links Egypt Properties to Former Kaduna Governor El-Rufai

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has reportedly uncovered several high-value real estate assets in Egypt allegedly linked to former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El‑Rufai, as part of an ongoing probe into his tenure in office.

According to findings from the investigation, the anti-graft agency traced a number of properties, including villas and apartments located in upscale districts of Cairo, to the former governor.

Sources familiar with the investigation said the properties were allegedly acquired between 2021 and 2023 when El-Rufai was still serving as governor of Kaduna State.

Among the assets identified are villas in Arabilla Estate and Banafsik Estate, both located in New Cairo, as well as another villa in the Oriana II area near the American University in Cairo. Investigators were also said to have traced multiple apartments in Cairo Festival City and Oriana Estate to the former governor.

Real estate listings in the areas show that villas in Arabilla and Banafsik estates sell for between $1 million and $1.3 million, while apartments in Cairo Festival City are valued at about $500,000 each.

The discovery reportedly forms part of a broader investigation by the ICPC into alleged financial impropriety during El-Rufai’s eight-year administration between 2015 and 2023.

The former governor has been in the custody of the commission since February 18 as investigations continue. His residence in Abuja was also searched by investigators a day after his detention, during which authorities reportedly recovered electronic surveillance equipment.

Before his arrest by the ICPC, El-Rufai had also been questioned by the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations that the phone of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, was tapped.

The DSS later filed a three-count charge against him over the alleged interception of the NSA’s telephone conversation.

In addition, the former governor reportedly spent two nights at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after returning from Cairo on February 12.

El-Rufai had previously insisted that he owns only one house. In a 2023 interview conducted in Hausa while he was still in office, he dismissed claims that he acquired multiple properties.

“I became the Governor of Kaduna State with only one house located at Danja Street in Unguwan Sarki, Kaduna,” he said at the time.

“I have completed my tenure… that is my only house. I don’t have any other house. I didn’t build a mansion. I don’t even need it.”

The investigation into his finances followed a report by the Kaduna State House of Assembly in 2024 which accused the former governor of allegedly diverting about N423 billion in public funds and recommended that anti-graft agencies probe him.

Meanwhile, El-Rufai has filed a suit against the ICPC, accusing the commission of unlawfully invading his Abuja residence and violating his fundamental rights.

In the suit, the former minister of the Federal Capital Territory is seeking a court declaration that the search conducted by operatives of the ICPC and the Nigeria Police Force was illegal.

He is also asking the court to bar investigators from relying on any materials seized during the operation and is demanding N1 billion in damages for what he described as trespass, unlawful seizure and reputational harm.

El-Rufai has continued to maintain that the investigation against him is politically motivated, alleging that it is linked to his association with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which he described as a major opposition platform in the country.

Source: TheCable