By Chinenye Onwusonye
The family of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has rejected allegations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) that phone-tapping equipment was recovered from his residence, describing the claims as false and politically driven.
In a statement dated March 2, 2026, and signed by Hon. Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, who represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, the family accused the commission of waging a media campaign and attempting to criminalise the former governor’s constitutional right to silence.
The statement said the ICPC’s claim that El-Rufai “refused to cooperate” with investigators was misleading, arguing that the right to remain silent is guaranteed under the Constitution and cannot be interpreted as evidence of guilt. It quoted the former governor as challenging the commission to file formal charges in court if it had any credible case against him.
Dismissing reports of sophisticated surveillance devices, the family maintained that only old mobile phones, laptops and flash drives were seized during the search of the property. It described the commission’s published inventory as fictitious and not endorsed by El-Rufai or his legal team.
The family further alleged that the search warrant used in the operation was legally defective, claiming it was fraudulently procured and improperly issued. According to the statement, the legality of the warrant has already been challenged before a court of competent jurisdiction.
The family said it had directed its lawyers to pursue all available legal remedies to contest what it termed an unlawful search and defamatory allegations, expressing confidence that the judiciary would uphold its rights. The ICPC had not issued a response to the fresh claims at the time of filing this report.
