The family of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has strongly rejected allegations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) that sophisticated wiretapping equipment was recovered from his Abuja residence, describing the claims as a politically motivated “smear campaign” .
In a fiery statement issued on Monday and signed by his son, Hon. Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, the family accused the anti-graft agency of attempting to weaponize the former governor’s constitutional right to remain silent . The ICPC had earlier told a court that El-Rufai declined to cooperate with investigators .
“Our father has consistently told law enforcement agencies: ‘Charge me if you have anything against me. You have had more than two years to investigate me. Take me to court,'” the statement read . The family argued that exercising the right to silence under the 1999 Constitution cannot lawfully be construed as non-cooperation or guilt .
Dismissing the ICPC’s claim of recovering “electronic magnetic equipment allegedly capable of tapping conversations,” the family insisted that only old personal mobile phones, flash drives, and laptops—standard possessions of any citizen—were seized during the search . They described the alleged sophisticated tapping equipment as a “work of fiction” .
The family further alleged that the entire investigation was built on a “forged and legally defective” warrant, purportedly issued by a magistrate who lacked the jurisdiction of a High Court . Their legal team has challenged the warrant in court, arguing that any evidence arising from an unlawful search is inadmissible .
The ICPC, however, has maintained that it followed due process, obtaining a 14-day detention order from a Magistrate Court in Bwari . The commission also alleges that an aide linked to the investigation has fled the country .
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