ICPC allegedly traces million-dollar foreign properties to El-Rufai

El-Rufai is yet to react to the allegations but has continued to maintain his innocence since his arrest, alleging that he is being persecuted for his political choices.

Officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the matter publicly said the properties are located in upscale districts of New Cairo, a rapidly developing suburb of Cairo known for luxury estates and gated residential communities.

The exclusive residential estates include Arabella Estate, Banafsek Estate, Oriana Estate and Cairo Festival City.

Findings show that villas in Cairo Festival City and Arabella range from 50 million to 200 million Egyptian pounds (about N5.3 billion), while apartments cost around 26 million Egyptian pounds (about N700 million).

One investigator familiar with the matter said the properties under probe include a villa located at House No. 113 in Arabella Estate in the Fifth Settlement district of New Cairo.Another villa allegedly linked to the former governor is located at House No. 18 in Banafsek Estate in the First Settlement area of the city.

Investigators are also said to have cited a property in Oriana II Estate, near the American University in Cairo, reportedly listed as House No. 11.

In addition to the villas, the investigation is said to be examining several apartments within the high-end Cairo Festival City development. According to the sources, four apartments identified as Units 514, 515, 516 and 517 are among the properties under scrutiny.

Two additional apartments in Oriana Estate, reportedly numbered 4000 and 4100, are also being examined as part of the ongoing inquiry.

El-Rufai is currently under probe over alleged financial impropriety during his tenure as governor of Kaduna state between 2015 and 2023.

Source: Daily Nigerian