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The family of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has threatened legal action against the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) over what it described as defamatory statements, while firmly denying that any sophisticated surveillance equipment or sensitive security documents were recovered from his Abuja residence.
In a statement issued on Monday, Mohammed El-Rufai, who represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, faulted the commission’s claims and accused it of waging a “media war rather than adhere to the rule of law.”
The rebuttal followed affidavits reportedly filed by the ICPC before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
According to the commission, operatives allegedly recovered “electronic magnetic equipment capable of tapping conversations” and “sensitive security documents capable of compromising national security” during a search conducted in the presence of El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza Isma El-Rufai, and son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai.
The ICPC was quoted as saying, “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.”
Responding, the lawmaker said the family viewed the allegations “with a mixture of contempt and amusement,” insisting that no specialised equipment was discovered during the operation.
On the issue of alleged non-cooperation, the statement defended El-Rufai’s decision to remain silent during interactions with investigators, describing it as a constitutional right.
“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 2 years to investigate me. Take me to court, please.”
The statement also disputed the list of items allegedly recovered by the ICPC, maintaining that only “old discarded personal mobile phones… storage devices like flash drives and laptops” were taken from the property
“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,” the statement said.
The family 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.
