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Nigeria\u2019s 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 investigations into his administration continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to sources familiar with the investigation, the properties – comprising luxury villas and apartments located in upscale areas of Cairo – were identified during the anti-graft agency\u2019s probe into El-Rufai\u2019s eight-year tenure as governor from 2015 to 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Properties Located in Prime Cairo Districts<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Investigators are said to have traced six real estate assets to the former governor. These include three villas and six apartments situated in some of Cairo\u2019s most exclusive residential districts in New Cairo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The identified properties include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Villa 113 at Arabilla Estate, Fifth Settlement Area, New Cairo
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Villa 18 at Banafsik Estate, First Settlement Area, New Cairo
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Villa 11 at Oriana II Estate, near the American University in Cairo
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Four apartments (Nos. 514, 515, 516 and 517) in Cairo Festival City
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Two apartments (Nos. 4000 and 4100) at Oriana Estate, New Cairo
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Real estate listings indicate that villas in Arabilla and Banafsik estates typically sell for between $1 million and $1.3 million, while apartments in Cairo Festival City are valued at roughly $500,000 each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sources say the properties were allegedly acquired between 2021 and 2023, a period when El-Rufai was still serving as governor of Kaduna State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Past Statements on Property Ownership<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a 2023 interview conducted in Hausa, El-Rufai had publicly stated that he owned only one house, dismissing claims that he had accumulated multiple luxury properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the time, he said his only residence was located on Danja Street in Unguwan Sarki, Kaduna, insisting he had not used public funds to build mansions or acquire properties abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI became governor with just one house\u2026 and that remains my only house. I did not build a mansion and I do not need one,\u201d he reportedly said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ongoing Investigations and Detention<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ICPC is currently investigating the former governor over alleged financial misconduct during his administration. El-Rufai has been in the commission\u2019s custody since February 18 following his arrest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During a search of his residence in Abuja on February 19, investigators reportedly discovered wire-tapping equipment, adding another dimension to the ongoing probe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prior to his arrest by the ICPC, El-Rufai had also been questioned by the Department of State Services (DSS) regarding claims that the phone of Nigeria\u2019s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, had been tapped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The DSS subsequently filed a three-count charge against him over alleged unlawful interception of the NSA\u2019s telephone conversations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The former governor had earlier spent two nights at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters after arriving in Nigeria from Cairo on February 12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kaduna Assembly Allegations<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The current investigation follows earlier accusations from the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which in 2024 indicted El-Rufai over the alleged diversion of N423 billion in public funds and possible money laundering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lawmakers called on anti-corruption agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
El-Rufai Challenges Investigation<\/p>\n\n\n\n
El-Rufai has denied wrongdoing and described the investigation as politically motivated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He has filed a lawsuit against the ICPC, accusing the agency of unlawfully invading his Abuja residence and violating his fundamental rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the suit, he asked the court to declare the search and seizure carried out by the ICPC and the Nigeria Police Force as illegal and to bar investigators from using any materials obtained during the operation as evidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He is also seeking N1 billion in damages for what he described as trespass, unlawful seizure of property and reputational harm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Threat of Additional Legal Action<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The former governor has also accused the ICPC of defamation and forgery, with his legal team issuing a pre-action notice accusing the agency of relying on forged documents in connection with his arrest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His family has demanded his immediate release, arguing that his continued detention lacks legal justification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
El-Rufai maintains that the probe is connected to his political affiliation with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which he describes as a leading opposition platform in Nigeria.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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