El-Rufai’s Family Slams ICPC Over ‘Phantom Equipment’ Allegations, Defends Right to Silence
The family of Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has strongly criticised the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations involving alleged phone-tapping equipment, describing the claims as false, exaggerated, and politically motivated.
In a statement issued on behalf of the former Kaduna State governor, the family accused the anti-corruption agency of engaging in what it termed a “media war” rather than adhering to due process and the rule of law.
The statement dismissed ICPC’s claims that El-Rufai failed to cooperate with investigators, arguing that his decision to remain silent was a constitutionally protected right. According to the family, the Nigerian Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to silence, and exercising that right should not be interpreted as an admission of guilt.
They further revealed that El-Rufai had consistently challenged authorities to formally charge him if any wrongdoing could be established, insisting that more than two years of investigation had yielded no actionable evidence.
On the controversial claim of recovered surveillance or phone-tapping devices, the family described the allegations as “fiction.” They maintained that they were present during the search and that only old personal mobile phones, some dating back nearly two decades, alongside laptops and storage devices, were taken from the premises.
The family also questioned the authenticity of the list of seized items released by the ICPC, noting that it had not been endorsed by El-Rufai or his legal representatives. They insisted that no sophisticated surveillance equipment or sensitive security documents were found.
Describing the allegations as a “smear campaign,” the family called on the ICPC to either present credible evidence in court or desist from what they characterised as misleading public narratives.
The ICPC has yet to respond to the latest statement from the El-Rufai family as tensions continue to rise over the high-profile allegations.
