ICPC Dismisses Officer for Sneaking El-Rufai’s Wife to Custody Room Through ‘Back Door’

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has reportedly dismissed a member of its internal security team over an alleged breach of access protocol involving Aichatou Assabe el-Rufai, one of the wives of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

The officer, identified as Daniel Stephen, was accused of helping Aichatou gain unauthorised access to El-Rufai while the former governor was being held at the anti-graft agency’s facility.

According to sources within the commission, the incident was uncovered after CCTV footage showed Stephen assisting Aichatou into the premises through a route outside the approved visitor procedure.

A handwritten statement reportedly submitted by the officer to an investigative panel placed the incident on Sunday, July 5, 2026.

In the statement, Stephen allegedly admitted that he helped El-Rufai’s wife enter the facility through a rear entrance and escorted her to the section where the former governor was being detained.

Sources said the officer drove Aichatou into the premises, took her through the back entrance and accompanied her upstairs before she met with her husband.

The meeting lasted about 15 minutes. According to the account attributed to Stephen, Aichatou handed El-Rufai a document, collected a black purse and spoke with him in Hausa about a court matter before leaving the facility through the same route.

Stephen acknowledged during the investigation that the visit did not comply with ICPC security requirements.

He explained that visitors were expected to have their details recorded at the gate and obtain clearance from the head of the security unit before being allowed into the premises.

“I agree that I am wrong and breached commission procedure,” he reportedly wrote, adding that the statement was made voluntarily and without coercion or duress.

The investigation, however, reportedly uncovered allegations suggesting that the officer’s involvement with El-Rufai’s visitors may not have been limited to the July incident.

According to sources, Stephen also told the investigative panel about an earlier occasion when he assisted Aichatou further into the facility while arrangements were being made to confirm her identity.

The officer said he was later approached by a man who introduced himself as El-Rufai’s blood brother.

Stephen admitted that he also assisted the man and allowed him to enter through the rear entrance.

El-Rufai is currently facing trial over allegations bordering on money laundering and the conversion of public property. He has been in ICPC custody since February 19, following his release from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The reported dismissal of the security officer followed the internal investigation into the alleged breach of the commission’s access procedures.