The family of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed allegations that sophisticated phone-tapping devices and sensitive security documents were recovered from his Abuja residence, describing the claims as false and politically driven.
In a statement issued on Monday, Mohammed El-Rufai, who represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, said no “sophisticated tapping equipment” was found during the search conducted at his father’s residence.
The rebuttal followed claims by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) that operatives recovered “electronic magnetic equipment capable of tapping conversations” and “sensitive security documents capable of compromising national security.”
According to affidavits reportedly filed by the commission before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, the items were retrieved during a search carried out in the presence of the former governor’s wife, Hadiza Isma El-Rufai, and his son.
The ICPC was quoted by a national daily – The Nation – in its report as stating that El-Rufai had admitted on national television to tapping telephone conversations of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. It further alleged that when asked to grant consent for access to the equipment, the former governor refused, attaching what it described as a consent form marked as an exhibit.
The commission also claimed that sensitive documents belonging to various security agencies were recovered during the operation and alleged that the former governor had been threatening potential prosecution witnesses, with at least one witness seeking protection.
Reacting via a statement posted on his X handle, Mohammed El-Rufai said the family received the allegations “with a mixture of contempt and amusement,” accusing the commission of waging a media trial instead of adhering strictly to due process.
On the issue of alleged non-cooperation, the lawmaker defended his father’s decision to remain silent during questioning, citing constitutional provisions.
“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 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.
Quoting the former governor, the family added: “Charge me, if you have anything against me. You have had more than two years to investigate me. Take me to court, please.”
The family maintained that the only items taken during the search were “old discarded personal mobile phones and storage devices like flash drives and laptops,” which it described as ordinary possessions.
“We were present when these items were seized. No equipment other than old discarded personal mobile phones and storage devices like flash drives and laptops, which are standard possessions of any 21st-century citizen, were seized from the property,” the statement said.
It further disclosed that the search warrant used for the operation had been challenged in court, alleging that it was fraudulently procured. The family said its legal team had been instructed to pursue all available remedies, including actions against what it termed illegal search procedures and defamatory claims.
El-Rufai has been in custody since February 16, 2026, after voluntarily honouring an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He was later transferred to the ICPC under a 14-day remand order granted on February 19, 2026.
The former governor is being investigated over alleged corruption and financial improprieties during his tenure between 2015 and 2023, including suspicious payments, alleged fund diversions, and questions surrounding transactions reportedly involving €1.4 million.
He has also filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit seeking N1 billion in damages, challenging the legality of the raid and alleging violations of his rights to dignity, liberty, fair hearing, and privacy.
