The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has dismissed a security officer, Daniel Stephen, for allegedly helping Aichatou Assabe El-Rufai, wife of Nasir El-Rufai, gain unauthorized access to him while he was in custody.
Stephen, who was attached to the commission’s internal security team, was reportedly captured on CCTV assisting Assabe to enter the ICPC premises through the back entrance on July 5, 2026, outside the approved visitor access procedure.
Stephen admitted his involvement in a handwritten statement submitted to an investigation panel, saying he helped Assabe gain access to her husband “through the back door.”
He reportedly drove Assabe into the commission’s premises, took her through the 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,” an ICPC officer was quoted as saying.
“Mrs El-Rufai handed her husband a document, picked up a black purse and spoke with him in Hausa about a court matter. The visit lasted about 15 minutes.
“Stephen said he then took her out through the same back entrance and drove her out of the commission’s premises.”
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Stephen reportedly told the panel that he knew the visit did not comply with the commission’s established security procedures.
He explained that visitors to the ICPC premises were required to have their details recorded at the gate and obtain clearance from the head of the security unit before being allowed into the facility. The officer also admitted that his actions amounted to a breach of the commission’s rules.
“I agree that I am wrong and breached commission procedure,” he wrote, adding that he made the statement voluntarily and without coercion or duress.
ICPC insiders reportedly claimed that Stephen’s statement indicated his involvement with Assabe extended beyond the July 5 incident.
He allegedly recounted an earlier encounter in which he helped escort her further into the facility while officials were still verifying her identity.
According to his account, he was later approached by a man who identified himself as El-Rufai’s blood brother. Stephen allegedly agreed to assist the man and brought him into the facility through the back entrance also.
El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 19, following his release by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. He is facing charges of money laundering and conversion of public property.
Vanguard
