The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has dismissed one of its security officers, identified as Daniel Stephen. He was accused of helping Aichatou Asabe El-Rufai, one of the wives of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, gain unauthorised access to her husband while he was in custody.

Stephen, who worked with the commission’s internal security team, was allegedly captured on CCTV assisting the woman into the ICPC premises on July 5, 2026. The entry did not follow the approved visitor access procedure.

According to reports, the officer drove her into the compound, took her through a back entrance and escorted her to the section where El-Rufai was being held. The visit lasted about 15 minutes before he led her out the same way.

In a handwritten statement to an investigation panel, Stephen admitted his role and acknowledged that he had breached the commission’s security rules. He said he was aware the visit did not comply with standard procedures that require visitors’ details to be recorded and cleared by the head of security.

El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 19 on charges of money laundering and conversion of public property, which he has denied. The commission’s action against the officer is seen as part of efforts to enforce its internal security protocols.

Photo credit: Punch Newspaper