ICPC Links Multiple Million-Dollar Apartments, Villas In Egypt To El-Rufai: Sources

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has reportedly linked six real estate assets in Egypt to Nasir el-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna state.

TheCable understands that the properties were discovered during the commission’s probe of el-Rufai’s tenure as governor.

El-Rufai is yet to react to the allegations but has continued to maintain his innocence since his arrest, alleging that he is being persecuted for his political choices.

All the assets — three villas and six apartments — are said to be located in highbrow estates and areas in Cairo, the capital of Egypt.

Based on checks by TheCable, villas in Arabilla Estate and Banafsik Estate, both in New Cairo, are sold for between $1,000,000 and $1,300,000.

Meanwhile, apartments in Cairo Festival City have a price tag of around $500,000 each.

Sources privy to the ICPC’s investigation informed TheCable that the real estate assets in the North African country were purchased between 2021 and 2023.

El-Rufai was the governor of Kaduna during the reported period of acquisition.

S/N PROPERTY LOCATION QUANTITY HOUSE NOs
1 VILLA ARABILLA ESTATE, 5TH SETTLEMENT AREA, NEW CAIRO, EGYPT 1 113
2 VILLA BANAFSIK ESTATE, FIRST SETTLEMENT AREA, NEW CAIRO. EGYPT 1 18
3 VILLA ORIANA II, NEW CAIRO, (NEAR AMERICAN UNIVERSITY) EGYPT 1 11
4 APARTMENT CAIRO FESTIVAL CITY, NEW CAIRO, EGYPT 4 514,515,516 & 517
5 APARTMENTS ORIANA ESTATE, NEW CAIRO, EGYPT 2 4000 & 4100
‘I DON’T NEED MANSIONS, BIG HOUSES’

In a 2023 interview in Hausa, el-Rufai had said that, unlike some people, he “didn’t syphon the money to Dubai and buy houses or go to Jabi Road and build a mansion”.

Then, serving out his second term as Kaduna governor, el-Rufai had boasted of having only one house, saying he did not need mansions or big houses.

“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,” Daily Trust quoted him as saying.

“I have completed my tenure, Alhamdulillah…that is my only house. I don’t have any other house. I didn’t build a mansion. I don’t even need it.”

ICPC/EFCC PROBE, DSS GRILLING

The ICPC is probing el-Rufai over alleged financial impropriety during his tenure as governor of Kaduna state between 2015 and 2023.

The former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has been in the custody of the ICPC since February 18.

The commission conducted a raid on his Abuja residence on February 19, during which wire-tapping equipment was reportedly discovered.

Before being taken into ICPC custody, el-Rufai had been grilled by the Department of State Services (DSS) over his allegation that the phone of Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser, was tapped.

The DSS has since filed a three-count charge against him for allegedly intercepting the NSA’s telephone conversation

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El-Rufai had also spent two nights at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following his arrival from Cairo on February 12.

In 2024, the Kaduna state house of assembly indicted him over the alleged diversion of N423 billion in public funds and money laundering, and demanded that anti-graft agencies investigate him.

EL-RUFAI FIGHTS BACK

The former director-general of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has sued the ICPC over the alleged unlawful invasion of his Abuja residence.

He is seeking, among other reliefs, a declaration that the search and seizure carried out by operatives of the ICPC and the Nigeria Police Force violated his fundamental rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing and privacy.

He is also asking the court to hold that any evidence obtained from the search is inadmissible in any proceeding against him.

He is further seeking an order restraining the respondents from relying on or tendering any material seized during the search in the course of any investigation or prosecution.

El-Rufai

The former Kaduna governor has demanded N1 billion as general, exemplary and aggravated damages for what he described as trespass, unlawful seizure and the psychological trauma and reputational harm allegedly occasioned by the search.

FRESH LEGAL ACTION

El-Rufai has also accused the ICPC of defamation and forgery, threatening a separate legal action against the anti-graft agency.

In a pre-action notice, lawyers representing el-Rufai alleged that the commission issued a defamatory press statement and relied on forged documents in connection with his arrest and detention.

His family has also demanded his immediate and unconditional release from custody, saying his continued detention by the ICPC has no legal basis.

El-Rufai has maintained that the probe against him is politically motivated.

He said he is being investigated because of his membership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), “the only surviving opposition party in Nigeria”.

IWD: ADC Invites Women To Help Shape Nigeria’s Future

IWD: ADC invites women to help shape Nigeria’s future. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reaffirmed its commitment to women’s inclusion in politics as Nigeria marks International Women’s Day, stating that women must move from the margins to the center of leadership and decision-making.

In a statement signed by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, the party noted that Nigerian women carry a disproportionate share of the nation’s social and economic responsibilities yet remain significantly underrepresented in many of our national institutions.

The ADC said its National Working Committee reflects a deliberate effort to include women in leadership and stressed that empowering women is essential to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy, adding that it is the only political party in Nigeria whose constitution explicitly reserves forty percent of all party positions to women.

The full statement read:

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate International Women’s Day, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) celebrates the millions of Nigerian women whose labour, courage, and leadership sustain our nation every day.

From the mothers who raise our communities, to the entrepreneurs who power our markets, to the headmistresses and teachers who educate our children, to the doctors and nurses who heal us, and the professionals who keep our society running, Nigerian women continue to carry a disproportionate share of the nation’s burden. Yet when decisions about the future of our nation are made, women remain significantly underrepresented in positions of leadership.

This is the Nigeria that the ADC wants to change.

In the ADC, women are leaders. They are part of the structures that guide the party and shape its decisions. The composition of our National Working Committee reflects a deliberate commitment to ensuring that women are not pushed to the margins of politics, but are actively involved in leadership and decision-making. This is because we are the only political party in Nigeria whose constitution reserves 40 percent of all party positions at all levels to women.

For the ADC, women are partners in nation-building.
Across Nigeria, women carry enormous responsibilities in their homes, communities, and workplaces. Any political movement that is serious about building a better country must recognize and harness this strength.

To the ADC, women are indispensable to the future of Nigerian democracy. A nation of over two hundred million people cannot reach its full potential when half of its population remains underrepresented in political leadership. Nigeria’s democracy will only become stronger when its institutions reflect the strength, talent, and diversity of its people.

ADC

In this regard, on this 2026 commemoration International Women’s Day, when leaders and institutions are re-committing themselves to investing in women under the theme #GiveToGain, the African Democratic Congress reaffirms our commitment to building a political culture where women are empowered to lead and participate fully in shaping the future of our country.

We therefore call on more Nigerian women across the country to join the ADC and help us to lead the effort to build a more inclusive nation. Because when Nigerian women rise, our entire nation rises with them.

Signed:

Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
National Publicity Secretary
African Democratic Congress (ADC)

NAF celebrates the exceptional courage, professionalism, dedication of its women

In commemoration of International Women’s Day 2026, themed “Give to Gain – Generosity, Collaboration and Collective Uplift,” the Nigerian Air Force celebrates the exceptional courage, professionalism and dedication of its women, whose contributions continue to strengthen operational excellence across every sphere of service.

Their commitment to duty, teamwork and leadership reflects the very spirit of this year’s theme, demonstrating that through generosity of purpose, collaboration and mutual support, we achieve greater progress together.

NAF

The Nigerian Air Force remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering women, fostering equality and creating opportunities for every female officer and airwoman to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the defence of our nation.