The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has reportedly uncovered several luxury real estate assets in Egypt linked to former Nasir El-Rufai, as investigations into alleged corruption during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State deepen. According to TheCable, investigators traced at least six high-value properties in Cairo, including three luxury villas and multiple apartments in upscale districts.
The villas are reportedly located in Arabella Estate and Banafsik Estate in New Cairo, where similar properties are estimated to cost between $1 million and $1.3 million each. Additional apartments allegedly linked to the former governor were also traced to Cairo Festival City, with units valued at about $500,000 each. Sources said the properties were acquired between 2021 and 2023 while El-Rufai was serving his second term as governor.
The discovery has renewed scrutiny of El-Rufai’s previous public claims that he owned only one house in Kaduna. In a 2023 interview, the former governor said his only property was located on Danja Street in Unguwan Sarki, insisting he neither built a mansion nor acquired other homes during his time in office.
El-Rufai, who previously served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, is currently being investigated by the ICPC over alleged financial improprieties during his eight-year tenure from 2015 to 2023. Reports indicate he has been in the custody of the anti-corruption agency since February 18, while investigators also searched his Abuja residence and reportedly found wire-tapping equipment.
The probe follows earlier findings by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which in 2024 accused the former governor of diverting about N423 billion in public funds and urged anti-graft agencies to investigate. However, El-Rufai’s legal team has condemned his continued detention, accusing the ICPC of abusing legal procedures and demanding his immediate release alongside N2 billion in damages.
