The family of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has denied claims by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) that phone-tapping equipment was discovered during a recent search of his residence, describing the anti-graft agency’s narrative as a “work of fiction.”
In a strongly worded statement issued, the family accused the ICPC of conducting a “media war” and disregarding the rule of law following the commission’s announcement that it had uncovered incriminating items at the property.
The statement, signed by his son, Hon. Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, who represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency, addressed the ICPC’s assertion that the former governor had refused to cooperate with investigators. The family argued that El-Rufai was merely exercising his constitutional right to remain silent.
“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 read.
The family reiterated El-Rufai’s public challenge to the authorities, quoting him as saying, “CHARGE ME, IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING AGAINST ME. YOU HAVE HAD MORE THAN 2 YEARS TO INVESTIGATE ME. TAKE ME TO COURT PLEASE.”
Regarding the alleged seizure of “sophisticated tapping equipment,” the family stated that items taken during the raid were limited to old, personal electronics. They claimed the list published by the ICPC was intended to “conjure images of espionage and criminality” but insisted that no equipment other than “discarded personal mobile phones, some dating back as far as 20 years, and storage devices like flash drives and laptops” were taken.
The family also challenged the legality of the search itself, alleging that the warrant used by the ICPC was “forged” and “fraudulently procured.” They claimed the warrant was purportedly signed by a Magistrate acting outside their jurisdiction.
“We have credible evidence that the warrant was a forgery, An illegality of this magnitude renders everything that follows it inadmissible and void. Our lawyers have challenged this illegitimate warrant in a court of competent jurisdiction,” the family stated.
They further accused the ICPC of unprofessional conduct and acting on behalf of “political masters,” asserting that they would not be tried in the “court of public opinion.” The family confirmed that their legal team has been instructed to pursue legal remedies against the search, the warrant, and what they termed the “defamatory statements” made by the commission.
