The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has reportedly linked six real estate properties in Cairo, Egypt, to Nasir el-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State.
The properties were discovered during the commission’s ongoing investigation into el-Rufai’s tenure as governor, TheCable reports. El-Rufai is yet to respond to the latest allegations but has continued to maintain his innocence since his arrest, insisting that he is being targeted for his political affiliations.
All the assets — comprising three villas and six apartments — are reportedly located in high-end estates across Cairo. Villas in Arabilla Estate and Banafsik Estate, both in New Cairo, are valued between $1 million and $1.3 million, while apartments in Cairo Festival City are estimated at $500,000 each.
Sources close to the ICPC investigation told TheCable that the properties were acquired between 2021 and 2023 while el-Rufai was serving as Kaduna State governor.
The properties reportedly include a villa at Arabilla Estate, 5th Settlement Area, New Cairo; a villa at Banafsik Estate, First Settlement Area, New Cairo; a villa at Oriana II, New Cairo, near the American University; four apartments at Cairo Festival City; and two apartments at Oriana Estate, all in New Cairo.
In a 2023 interview in Hausa, el-Rufai denied owning multiple properties abroad. He said, “Unlike some people, I didn’t siphon money to Dubai to buy houses or go to Jabi Road to build a mansion. We aren’t like such people. I became the Governor of Kaduna State with only one house located at Danja Street in Unguwan Sarki, Kaduna. I have completed my tenure, Alhamdulillah…that is my only house. I didn’t build a mansion. I don’t even need it.”
The ICPC is investigating el-Rufai over alleged financial impropriety during his tenure as Kaduna governor between 2015 and 2023. He also served as the Federal Capital Territory Minister. El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 18, and a raid on his Abuja residence on February 19 reportedly uncovered wire-tapping equipment.
Prior to his ICPC detention, el-Rufai was grilled by the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations that he intercepted the phone of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. The DSS subsequently filed a three-count charge against him for allegedly intercepting the NSA’s telephone conversations.
He also spent two nights at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters after returning from Cairo on February 12. In 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly had indicted him over the alleged diversion of N423 billion in public funds and money laundering, urging anti-graft agencies to investigate him.
El-Rufai has filed a lawsuit against the ICPC, claiming the search and seizure of his Abuja residence violated his fundamental rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy. He is seeking N1 billion in damages and an order declaring that any evidence obtained cannot be used against him.
The former Kaduna governor has also accused the ICPC of defamation and forgery and has threatened additional legal action.
His family has demanded his immediate release, arguing that his detention has no legal basis. El-Rufai insists the probe is politically motivated, saying he is being targeted due to his membership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), “the only surviving opposition party in Nigeria.”
