The family of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed as false allegations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission that sophisticated phone-tapping equipment was recovered from his Abuja residence.
In a statement issued on Monday by his son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, who represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, the family described the claim as a “blatant lie” and accused the anti-graft agency of waging a media trial.
The commission had earlier announced that it recovered devices allegedly capable of intercepting conversations, as well as sensitive security documents, during a search at the former governor’s residence.
It stated that the items were retrieved in the presence of El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza, and his son, Mohammed.
But the family maintained that no such equipment was found, insisting that only old personal mobile phones, flash drives and laptops were taken during the operation.
“The so-called sensitive security documents and tapping equipment exist only in the fevered imagination of the ICPC and its press team,” the statement read.
Mohammed, who also chairs the House Committee on Banking Regulations, said the family initially refrained from responding publicly in observance of Ramadan but decided to react following what he termed attempts to portray his father as uncooperative.
“The ICPC has attempted to weaponise our father’s silence against him, claiming he refused to cooperate,” he said, adding that every Nigerian has a constitutional right to remain silent and that exercising that right should not be construed as obstruction.
Quoting the former governor, the statement added, “Charge me, if you have anything against me. You have had more than two years to investigate me. Take me to court, please.”
The family also challenged the legality of the search, alleging that the warrant used for the operation was defective and fraudulently procured.
According to them, the magistrate who issued the warrant lacked the jurisdiction of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, rendering the search and any evidence obtained inadmissible.
It confirmed that its legal team had approached a competent court to challenge the warrant and the conduct of the commission.
The family further accused the anti-corruption agency of suffering a “credibility deficit,” alleging that its press statement was riddled with inconsistencies and falsehoods.
They vowed to pursue legal redress over what they described as defamatory claims and an unlawful search.
Efforts to get an updated response from the ICPC as of the time of filing this report were unsuccessful.
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