El Rufai
El-Rufai’s family faults ICPC claims of recovering wiretapping equipment, alleges smear campaign
The family of detained former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has dismissed as false the allegation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) that wiretapping equipment and secret documents were recovered from his Abuja residence.
In a post on X, el-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza Isma, stated: “I was there. No such equipment was found. They lie. But why? An agency with no credibility at all.”
The ICPC had earlier filed a counter-affidavit explaining its arrest and detention of the former governor.
However, the family maintained that el-Rufai is entitled to the right to silence and non-cooperation regarding the search of his residence until his prosecution before a competent court.
A statement issued on behalf of the family by his son, Muhammed Bello el-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency, described the commission’s actions as theatrical and malicious.
“We noted with a mixture of contempt and amusement the recent litany of allegations, falsehoods and theatrical posturing emanating from the ICPC,” the statement read. “It is deeply unfortunate that a constitutionally established agency has descended into what can only be described as a circus of chicanery, apparently designed to prosecute a media war rather than adhere to the rule of law. We are compelled to set the record straight and expose the malicious intent behind this orchestrated smear campaign.”
The family addressed the issue of el-Rufai’s right to silence, noting that the ICPC had attempted to weaponise his silence against him.
“We must educate the Commission on the most basic tenet of Nigerian jurisprudence: 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 added.
The family stressed that el-Rufai has consistently told law enforcement: “Charge me, if you have anything against me. You have had more than two years investigating me. Take it to court, please.”
Regarding the alleged seizure of surveillance devices, the family dismissed the ICPC’s list of equipment as a “work of fiction, for reasons which will soon become known.”
The ICPC had earlier claimed that suspected surveillance devices capable of intercepting confidential communications and accessing classified security materials were recovered during a raid on el-Rufai’s Abuja home.
The family’s response underscores rising tensions between political figures and anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria, as legal and procedural disputes continue to dominate public discourse.
Meanwhile, the ICPC has told the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, that it is detaining el-Rufai to conclude its investigation into alleged corruption during his tenure as governor.
El-Rufai had filed a suit at the court alleging that his arrest and detention violated his fundamental rights.
He asked the court to declare the actions of the anti-graft agencies unlawful and to award him N1 billion in damages.
In an affidavit filed in support of the suit, el-Rufai confirmed his identity and career history but declined to answer questions about the allegations, citing his constitutional right to remain silent. He described the investigation as politically motivated and said he would respond to the allegations in court.
The commission said it received a petition accusing el-Rufai and officials of his administration of financial misconduct between 2015 and 2023. The petition, attached to court filings dated February 26, raised allegations relating to loans obtained by the Kaduna government, procurement processes, transfers from government accounts, and payments to companies and individuals.
ICPC said it began preliminary investigations and obtained documents from banks and government institutions. It then issued an invitation letter dated February 9, which could not be served earlier because el-Rufai was outside Nigeria. The commission said he was eventually served on February 12 after his return.
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