ICPC Sacks Officer Over Alleged Unauthorised Access To El-Rufai

The ICPC has dismissed one of its security officers, Daniel Stephen, over allegations that he helped one of Nasir El-Rufai’s wives gain unauthorised access to the former Kaduna governor in custody.

The allegation centres on a July 5 visit to the commission’s premises. The reports said Stephen was accused of taking Aichatou Asabe El-Rufai through a back entrance outside the approved visitor procedure.

Daily Trust reported that Stephen was attached to the commission’s internal security team and was allegedly caught on CCTV. It said he admitted his role in a handwritten statement submitted to an investigation panel.

Vanguard also reported the dismissal and said the officer was accused of assisting the visit while El-Rufai remained in ICPC custody. El-Rufai has denied the charges against him in the wider case.

The incident adds another turn to the legal dispute around El-Rufai’s detention and the access granted to family members while he remains before the anti-corruption agency.

Sources: Daily Trust, Vanguard