ICPC Dismisses Security Officer Over Alleged Unauthorised Visit by El-Rufai’s Wife.
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu
Northern Bureau Chief
September 4, 2026.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has dismissed a security officer, identified as Daniel Stephen, for allegedly helping Aichatou Assabe El-Rufai, one of the wives of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, gain unauthorised access to the commission’s premises while the former governor was in custody.
Sources familiar with the matter reportedly told the newspaper that Stephen facilitated Mrs. El-Rufai’s entry through a back entrance of the ICPC facility, rather than through the commission’s designated visitor-clearance process.
The security officer allegedly drove her into the premises and escorted her to the section where El-Rufai was being held. The visit reportedly lasted approximately 15 minutes, after which she was taken out through the same route.
Officer Admits Breach of Security Protocol.
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In a handwritten statement reportedly submitted during an internal investigation, Stephen is said to have admitted that he violated established security procedures by facilitating the visit.
He reportedly acknowledged that he was aware that the appropriate authorisation and visitor-clearance procedures had not been followed before allowing Mrs. El-Rufai access to the facility.
The officer also allegedly disclosed that he had previously assisted another individual, who identified himself as a relative of the former governor, to gain access to the commission’s premises through the back entrance.
The latest development has raised questions about security procedures within detention facilities operated by anti-corruption agencies, particularly concerning access to high-profile detainees.
The ICPC confirmed that the former governor was in its custody in connection with ongoing investigations. The commission subsequently stated that his detention was authorised by a court and linked to investigations into allegations including money laundering and abuse of office.
The former governor has denied wrongdoing and has challenged aspects of the investigations and his detention through legal proceedings. In statements made while in custody, El-Rufai invoked his constitutional right to silence and maintained that he would respond to the allegations in court.
The dismissal of Stephen underscores the commission’s efforts to enforce internal security protocols and prevent unauthorised access to detainees, particularly in sensitive investigations involving prominent political figures.
The ICPC has not, in the reports reviewed, publicly released a detailed statement on the dismissal beyond the information attributed to sources and the officer’s reported statement.
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper September 4, 2026
