A court has granted the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) permission to examine electronic devices recovered from the residence of former Nasir El-Rufai as part of an ongoing investigation.
The ruling was delivered by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, following an application by the anti-graft agency seeking legal authorization to access and analyse digital materials obtained during its investigation. The court’s decision effectively allows the commission to conduct forensic analysis on the electronic devices, which reportedly include computers, storage drives and other digital gadgets believed to contain relevant information.
According to court filings, the ICPC argued that access to the contents of the devices is necessary to advance its investigation into allegations connected to financial dealings during El-Rufai’s tenure as governor of Kaduna State. The commission maintained that the examination would help determine whether any evidence linked to suspected corrupt practices could be established through digital records, communications or stored documents.
Legal experts note that obtaining a court order before analysing seized digital devices is a critical step in ensuring that investigative procedures comply with constitutional safeguards and rules governing evidence. The approval therefore provides the ICPC with the legal backing needed to proceed with the forensic examination while ensuring that any material discovered can be admissible in court if necessary.
Nasir El-Rufai, who served as governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023, remains a prominent political figure in Nigeria. While the investigation continues, authorities have not yet announced any formal charges connected to the case. The development nonetheless marks a significant step in the probe, as digital evidence increasingly plays a central role in modern anti-corruption investigations.
Observers say the outcome of the forensic review could shape the next phase of the inquiry, including whether further legal action may follow. For now, the court’s approval signals the continuation of the ICPC’s efforts to scrutinize the materials recovered and determine their relevance to the allegations under investigation.
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