ABUJA, Nigeria – Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has begun providing formal testimony to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), according to documents detailing his initial cautionary statements made while in custody.
The former governor, who is currently at the centre of a high-profile investigation into his eight-year tenure, elected to provide a voluntary statement in the presence of his legal counsel, Ubong Akpan, Esq.
The Cautionary Statement
In the opening segments of the document obtained by reporters, El-Rufai acknowledged the legal implications of his testimony, stating, “I have read the above cautionary statement and I understand its meaning and implication.”
The testimony began with a personal history, where the former governor provided foundational details for the commission’s records. “My name is Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai. I was born in Dandawa, Katsina State, in 1960, and grew up mostly in Kaduna State,” the statement read.
Forensic and Legal Context
The commencement of formal statements follows last week’s controversial raid on El-Rufai’s residence, during which the ICPC recovered 18 mobile devices and several digital storage drives. While initial reports suggested the recovery of surveillance equipment, the official inventory confirmed the haul consisted primarily of laptops, hard drives, and legacy mobile handsets.
Legal experts noted that the presence of his lawyer during the interrogation suggests a strategic approach to the investigation. “A voluntary statement made under caution, especially in the presence of counsel, is a standard but critical phase in any anti-graft inquiry,” an Abuja-based legal analyst noted. “It sets the stage for how the defendant will account for the administrative and financial decisions made during his time in office.”
Ongoing Investigation
The ICPC has remained tight-lipped regarding the specific charges or the total sum involved in the investigation. However, the commission has previously indicated that it is conducting a comprehensive forensic audit of Kaduna State’s accounts between 2015 and 2023.
The interrogation is expected to continue through the week as investigators confront the former governor with data retrieved from the seized electronic devices. As of Wednesday afternoon, El-Rufai’s legal team has maintained that their client is cooperating fully and remains confident in his administrative record.
