ICPC Sacks Officer Accused of Giving El-Rufai’s Wife Unauthorised Access

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has dismissed a security officer accused of taking the wife of former Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai into the commission’s premises through a back entrance.

The officer, identified as Daniel Stephen, allegedly helped Aichatou Asabe El-Rufai visit her husband in custody on July 5, 2026, outside the approved visitor procedure. According to TheCable, CCTV footage showed Stephen assisting her, while a handwritten statement he submitted to an investigative panel reportedly acknowledged the breach.

Stephen said he helped Asabe reach her husband “through the back door”. He allegedly drove her into the facility, escorted her upstairs to the section where el-Rufai was being held and took her out through the same entrance. The visit lasted about 15 minutes. During it, Asabe reportedly handed el-Rufai a document, collected a black purse and spoke with him in Hausa about a court matter.

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through the back door

The officer said visitors were required to have their details recorded at the gate and obtain clearance from the head of the security unit. He accepted that his conduct violated commission rules, writing, “I agree that I am wrong and breached commission procedure.” He also said he made the statement voluntarily and without coercion or duress.

ICPC insiders further alleged that Stephen’s involvement went beyond the July incident. They said he described an earlier occasion when he helped Asabe move farther into the facility while officials were confirming her identity. He also reportedly said he assisted a man who identified himself as el-Rufai’s brother in entering through the back entrance. El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 19 after his release by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. He faces money-laundering and public-property conversion charges, which he denies.

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I agree that I am wrong and breached commission procedure.