The family of Nasir El-Rufai, the former Kaduna state governor, has denied reports that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) recovered wiretapping equipment from his Abuja residence.
In a statement issued on Monday, signed by Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, the family dismissed as false a report by The Nation alleging that ICPC operatives seized “sophisticated tapping equipment” during a search of the former governor’s home.
The Kaduna North lawmaker posted the statement on Facebook, saying he broke his silence on the matter to counter what he called “a blatant lie.”
‘No Tapping Equipment Recovered’
The family said operatives did not recover any wiretapping devices or sensitive security documents from the property.
It stated that officers only took old mobile phones, some nearly 20 years old, and storage devices such as flash drives and laptops.
“We were present when these items were seized. No equipment other than old discarded personal mobile phones and storage devices were taken,” the statement read.
The family insisted that the alleged “sophisticated tapping equipment” exists “only in the imagination of the commission and its press team.”
Right to silence
The family also criticised the ICPC for suggesting that El-Rufai refused to cooperate with investigators.
It argued that the 1999 Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to remain silent. Exercising that right, it said, does not amount to non-cooperation or an admission of guilt.
The statement quoted the former governor as urging authorities to file charges if they have evidence against him.
“Charge me, if you have anything against me. You have had more than two years to investigate me. Take me to court,” it said.
Search warrant challenged
The family claimed the search was based on a defective warrant.
It alleged that officials fraudulently procured the warrant and said its lawyers have challenged it in court. The family asked the ICPC to justify the legality of the search before a competent court.
The ICPC has maintained that it recovered items linked to phone interception during the operation. The family has rejected that claim.
