By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The family of a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, says no sophisticated wire-tapping equipment and sensitive security documents were recovered during a raid in the former governor’s Abuja residence.
El-Rufai’s son, Mohammed El-Rufai, who represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, dismissed the claims of the seizure of “sophisticated tapping equipment” during the search in a statement posted on his X handle on Monday, March 2.
The family described the claims by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Monday as false and politically motivated.
El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza Isma El-Rufai, while also reacting to the claim, wrote on her X handle: “I was there. No such equipment was found. They lie. But why? An agency with no credibility at all.”
The ICPC, in affidavits filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, said operatives allegedly recovered “electronic magnetic equipment capable of tapping conversations” and “sensitive security documents capable of compromising national security” during the search, conducted in the presence of El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza Isma El-Rufai, and son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai.
“The applicant (El-Rufai), on national television (Arise Television), admitted to tapping telephone conversations of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
“During the search operations, the commission retrieved electronic magnetic equipment allegedly capable of tapping conversations.
“He was asked to give consent to enable the commission access the equipment, but he refused. A copy of the consent form is attached and marked Exhibit ICPC 5.
“The search also retrieved sensitive security documents of various security agencies of the government.
“The applicant is also allegedly threatening likely prosecution witnesses, and one such witness has written to the commission seeking protection. A copy of the letter is attached and marked Exhibit ICPC 6,” the ICPC was quoted as saying.
In response, El-Rufai’s son said the family viewed the allegations “with a mixture of contempt and amusement,” accusing the commission of engaging in a “media war rather than adhere to the rule of law.”
In the statement, the lawmaker defended the former governor’s decision to remain silent during interactions with investigators, describing it as a constitutional right and not non-cooperation.
The family also disputed the list of items allegedly recovered by the ICPC, saying, “We were present when these items were seized. No equipment other than old discarded personal mobile phones… storage devices like flash drives and laptops, which are standard possessions of any 21st-century citizen, were seized from the property.”
They further alleged that the search warrant used for the operation was defective and had been challenged in court.
“Our lawyers have challenged this illegitimate warrant in a court of competent jurisdiction,” the statement said, alleging that the warrant was fraudulently procured.
The former governor’s son added that the family had instructed its legal team to pursue all available remedies, including challenging what it described as an illegal search and defamatory statements.
Recall that El-Rufai has been in custody since February 16 when he voluntarily reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following an invitation by the agency and was subsequently detained.
He remained in EFCC’s custody until the night of February 18 when he was transferred to ICPC, where he has been held under a 14-day remand order obtained on February 19.
The former governor is held over alleged corruption and financial improprieties during his tenure as Kaduna State governor between 2015 and 2023, including suspicious payments, fund diversions, and questions over large sums like €1.4 million.
