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 detained former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
According to reports obtained by The News Chronicle, Stephen who was attached to the commission’s internal security team, was accused of assisting Aichatou Asabe El-Rufai, one of the former governor’s wives, to gain access to him at the ICPC facility on July 5, 2026, outside the commission’s approved visitor procedures.
Stephen was reportedly captured on CCTV driving Asabe into the commission’s premises through a back entrance and escorting her to the section where El-Rufai was being detained.
The officer allegedly admitted his involvement in a handwritten statement submitted to an investigation panel, acknowledging that he helped Asabe gain access to her husband “through the back door.”
According to the report, Stephen stated that Asabe handed El-Rufai a document, picked up a black purse and discussed a court matter with him in Hausa. The visit reportedly lasted about 15 minutes before Stephen escorted her out through the same entrance.
“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 source was quoted as saying.
Stephen reportedly acknowledged that the visit did not comply with the commission’s established security procedures, which require visitors to register their details at the gate and obtain clearance from the head of the security unit before gaining access.
“I agree that I am wrong and breached commission procedure,” Stephen reportedly wrote in his statement, adding that he made the statement voluntarily and without coercion or duress.
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ICPC insiders further alleged that Stephen’s statement indicated that his involvement with El-Rufai’s visitors was not limited to the July 5 incident.
He reportedly recounted an earlier occasion when he helped escort Asabe further into the facility while officials were still verifying her identity.
According to the account, Stephen was subsequently approached by a man who identified himself as El-Rufai’s blood brother. The officer allegedly agreed to assist him and facilitated his entry into the facility through the back entrance.
The dismissal of Stephen followed an internal investigation into the alleged breach of security procedures and unauthorised access to the former governor while in custody.
