From Victor Osula, Abuja
The family of former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has strongly denied allegations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) that sophisticated phone-tapping equipment was recovered from his residence during a recent operation.
In a statement issued on Monday, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, the member of the House of Representatives representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency and son of the former governor, described the claims as “phantom” and “fictional”, insisting that only personal electronic items were seized by operatives.
According to the statement, the items recovered during the raid included old mobile phones, flash drives and laptops, contrary to the commission’s claim that wiretapping devices were discovered.
The family further alleged that the ICPC relied on a forged search warrant, claiming a magistrate falsely acted on behalf of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to authorise the operation.
“An illegality of this magnitude, a forgery at the very inception of a state-sponsored search, renders everything that follows void and inadmissible”, the statement read, adding that the family has directed its legal team to challenge both the warrant and the commission’s assertions in court.
Defending the former governor’s constitutional rights, the family also rejected suggestions that El-Rufai’s decision to remain silent during interactions with investigators amounted to non-cooperation.
“We must educate the Commission on the most basic tenet of Nigerian jurisprudence: the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to remain silent. This is not an act of non-cooperation; it is a fundamental human right”, the statement added.
The family criticised the ICPC’s public communication on the matter, describing it as misleading and accusing the anti-graft agency of attempting to manufacture evidence to justify its actions. It also claimed that the inventory of items allegedly recovered was “a work of fiction” aimed at creating an impression of espionage and criminal wrongdoing.
Challenging the commission to pursue formal prosecution if evidence exists, the family quoted the former governor as saying, “Charge me, if you have anything against me. You have had more than two years to investigate me. Take me to court.”
The ICPC had earlier defended the raid, maintaining that wiretapping equipment and other materials were retrieved during the operation at El-Rufai’s residence.
The El-Rufai family, however, urged Nigerians to remain calm and pray for peace during the Ramadan period, while expressing confidence in the judiciary to protect their rights against what they described as executive overreach and a politically motivated smear campaign.
