The family of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El‑Rufai has dismissed allegations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) that sophisticated surveillance equipment, including phone‑tapping devices, were found at his residence.
In a statement on Monday signed by his son, Mohammed Bello El‑Rufai, the family described the claims as “false, politically motivated and part of a media trial,” rejecting the narrative that sensitive monitoring tools were recovered during a search of the former governor’s Abuja home.
According to the family’s version, only personal mobile phones, laptops and flash drives of El‑Rufai were seized, and no phone‑tapping equipment or specialised surveillance gadgets were found. They also said family members were present when the items were taken and challenged the ICPC’s characterisation of the devices.
The statement further defended El‑Rufai’s earlier refusal to respond to investigators, citing the constitutional right of every citizen to remain silent and warning against misinterpreting that silence as non‑cooperation. The family urged the ICPC to lay formal charges if it believes it has credible evidence.
The family also alleged that the search warrant authorising the raid was fraudulently obtained and has been contested in court by their legal team, which they said would argue against the admissibility of any evidence gathered under such circumstances.
The denial comes amid wider legal scrutiny of El‑Rufai by anti‑graft agencies over alleged corruption and other offences tied to his tenure as governor, allegations he has consistently denied and described as politically driven.
As of this report, the ICPC has not publicly responded to the family’s rejection of its claims.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
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