El-Rufai’s family denies ICPC allegations on phonetapping equipment

The family of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has strongly denied allegations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) that he possessed phone tapping equipment, describing the claims as false and politically motivated.

In a press statement issued on March 2, 2026, and signed by Hon. Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, the family accused the anti-corruption agency of engaging in a “media war” and attempting to criminalize El-Rufai’s constitutional right to remain silent.

The statement followed media reports alleging that the ICPC uncovered sophisticated surveillance equipment during a search linked to the former governor.

Responding to the allegations, the family maintained that El-Rufai’s decision not to make statements to investigators was a lawful exercise of his constitutional rights, not an act of non-cooperation. Quoting the former governor, the statement said he had consistently challenged authorities to formally charge him if there was evidence of wrongdoing.

On the reported seizure of phone tapping equipment, the family dismissed the claims as fictitious, asserting that only old mobile phones, storage devices, and laptops were taken during the search. They described the alleged “sophisticated tapping equipment” as nonexistent.

The family further alleged that the search warrant used by the ICPC was forged and legally defective. According to the statement, their legal team has challenged the validity of the warrant in court, arguing that it was improperly procured and therefore renders any evidence obtained inadmissible.

The ICPC has not yet publicly responded to the latest allegations made by the El-Rufai family regarding the authenticity of the warrant.

The family said it would pursue all available legal remedies to contest what it described as an illegal search and defamatory statements, expressing confidence in the judiciary to uphold their rights.