The family of former Nasir El-Rufai has rejected claims that sophisticated phone-tapping equipment and sensitive security documents were recovered from his Abuja residence. In a statement issued on Monday by his son, Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives, the family described the allegations, filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in a court filing at the FCT High Court, as “falsehoods” and part of a “malicious smear campaign.” They insisted no such equipment was found during the ICPC search.
The statement responded to media reports on the ICPC’s counter-affidavit, submitted in opposition to El-Rufai’s fundamental rights enforcement suit. The former governor had argued that his arrest and detention violated his constitutional rights and requested N1 billion in damages, asking the court to declare the actions of anti-graft agencies unlawful.
The ICPC, in its filing, claimed that a search warrant executed at El-Rufai’s residence at 12 Mambilla Street, Asokoro, on 19 February, recovered electronic devices and documents, including items it described as capable of intercepting communications. The search was reportedly witnessed by his wife, Hadiza El-Rufai, and his son, Mohammed El-Rufai. The commission also said a potential witness requested protection, alleging threats following public comments made during a television interview.
In rebuttal, the family accused the ICPC of attempting to criminalize El-Rufai’s choice to remain silent during interrogation. Quoting him directly, the statement read:
“CHARGE ME, IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING AGAINST ME. YOU HAVE HAD MORE THAN 2 YEARS TO INVESTIGATE ME. TAKE ME TO COURT PLEASE.”
The family stressed that his silence was a constitutional right, not an admission of guilt, and argued that assuming otherwise reflects an “inquisitorial mindset” by the ICPC. They also maintained that only personal items such as old mobile phones, flash drives, and laptops were seized, and that the so-called “sophisticated tapping equipment” existed only in the ICPC’s imagination.
A central claim by the family is that the search was based on a fraudulent warrant, allegedly signed by a magistrate “purporting to sit in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.” They said their lawyers had challenged the warrant in court and accused the ICPC of forgery, false documentation, and peddling misinformation.El-Rufai’s legal troubles began with his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over allegations of financial misconduct during his tenure as Kaduna State governor. After two days in EFCC custody, he was immediately rearrested by ICPC agents while still in custody. He remains under ICPC detention pending the outcome of investigations.
The family emphasized that El-Rufai would not be tried in the court of public opinion, but in a proper legal forum, expressing faith in the Nigerian judiciary to uphold their rights. The dispute comes amid political tensions, including El-Rufai’s fallout with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over a thwarted ministerial appointment and his subsequent defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC). The former governor has described investigations into him as politically motivated.In their statement, the El-Rufai family condemned the ICPC’s conduct, criticized the alleged use of false evidence, and called for judicial scrutiny of the warrant and seized items. The statement concluded by reaffirming their trust in the courts to expose what they described as a “shameful charade.”
Signed, March 2, 2026, by Hon. Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, Kaduna North Federal Constituency.
Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/
