The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has dismissed a security officer accused of helping Aichatou Assabe El-Rufai, wife of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, gain unauthorised access to her husband while he was in custody.

The officer, identified as Daniel Stephen, was attached to the commission’s internal security team and was allegedly captured on CCTV assisting Assabe to enter the ICPC premises through a back entrance on July 5, 2026.

According to a report by TheCable, Stephen admitted his involvement in a handwritten statement submitted to an investigation panel, acknowledging that he helped El-Rufai’s wife gain access to her husband “through the back door.”

He reportedly drove Assabe into the premises, took her through the rear entrance and escorted her upstairs to the section where El-Rufai was being detained.

An ICPC official was quoted as saying that Stephen’s statement indicated that he at one point switched off the light before they entered the room where El-Rufai was being held.

According to the account, Assabe handed El-Rufai a document, picked up a black purse and discussed a court matter with him in Hausa.

The meeting reportedly lasted about 15 minutes before Stephen escorted her out through the same entrance.

Stephen reportedly admitted that he knew the visit did not comply with the commission’s established security procedures, which require visitors to register at the gate and obtain clearance from the head of the security unit.

“I agree that I am wrong and breached commission procedure,” he reportedly wrote, adding that he made the statement voluntarily and without coercion or duress.

ICPC insiders further alleged that Stephen’s statement revealed that his assistance to Assabe was not limited to the July 5 incident.

He reportedly recounted an earlier occasion when he helped escort her further into the facility while officials were still verifying her identity.

He also allegedly assisted a man who identified himself as El-Rufai’s blood brother to gain access through the same back entrance.

El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 19, following his release by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He is facing allegations of money laundering and conversion of public property, which he has denied.