The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has dismissed one of its security officers, identified as Daniel Stephen, over allegations that he facilitated unauthorised access to former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai while in custody.
According to TheCable, Stephen was accused of helping Aichatou Asabe El-Rufai, one of the former governor’s wives, gain access to him at the ICPC facility outside the commission’s approved visitor procedures.
Stephen, who was attached to the commission’s internal security team, was reportedly captured on CCTV assisting Asabe into the premises on July 5, 2026.
He allegedly admitted his involvement in a handwritten statement submitted to an investigation panel, saying he helped El-Rufai’s wife gain access to her husband “through the back door.”
Daily Trust reports that El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 19, following his release by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The former governor is facing charges bordering on money laundering and conversion of public property, allegations he has denied.
According to the report, Stephen drove Asabe into the commission’s premises through a back entrance and escorted her upstairs to the section where El-Rufai was being held.
“At one point, according to his handwritten account, he turned off the light before they went into the room where El-Rufai was,” TheCable quoted an ICPC officer as saying.
The officer reportedly said Asabe handed her husband a document, picked up a black purse and spoke with him in Hausa about a court matter. The visit allegedly lasted about 15 minutes.
Stephen was said to have escorted her out through the same back entrance and driven her away from the premises.
In his statement, Stephen reportedly acknowledged that the visit breached the commission’s established security procedures.
He explained that visitors to the ICPC facility were required to have their details recorded at the gate and obtain clearance from the head of the security unit before being granted access.
“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 further alleged that Stephen’s statement pointed to other instances in which he helped individuals linked to El-Rufai gain access to the facility.
He reportedly recounted an earlier encounter in which he escorted Asabe further into the premises while officials were still verifying her identity.
Stephen allegedly said that, after assisting her, he was approached by a man who identified himself as El-Rufai’s blood brother.
According to his account, he also agreed to assist the man and brought him into the facility through the back entrance.
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