The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has dismissed a security officer accused of helping Aichatou Asabe El-Rufai, wife of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, gain unauthorised access to her husband while he was in custody.
The officer, identified as Daniel Stephen, was attached to the commission’s internal security team and was reportedly dismissed following an internal investigation.
According to reports, Stephen was captured on CCTV allegedly assisting Asabe to enter the ICPC premises through a back entrance on July 5, outside the commission’s approved visitor access procedure.
He reportedly admitted his involvement in a handwritten statement to an investigation panel, saying he helped El-Rufai’s wife gain access to her husband “through the back door”.
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Reports said Stephen drove Asabe into the premises, took her through the back entrance and escorted her upstairs to the section where El-Rufai was being held.
According to an account attributed to the officer, Asabe handed El-Rufai a document, picked up a black purse and discussed a court matter with him in Hausa during a visit which lasted about 15 minutes.
Stephen reportedly admitted that he was aware the visit breached established security procedures, which require visitors to register at the gate and obtain clearance from the head of the security unit.
“I agree that I am wrong and breached commission procedure,” he reportedly wrote, adding that his statement was made voluntarily and without coercion or duress.
ICPC insiders also reportedly alleged that the officer’s statement pointed to an earlier incident in which he helped Asabe gain access to the facility while officials were still confirming her identity.
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He was also said to have assisted a man who identified himself as El-Rufai’s blood brother to enter the premises through the back entrance.
El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 19, following his release by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
He is facing allegations of money laundering and conversion of public property, which he has denied.
