The family of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has strongly refuted reports that sophisticated phone-tapping devices and sensitive security documents were seized during a search of his Abuja residence.
Mohammed El-Rufai, the lawmaker representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency, described the claims as “false and politically motivated,” insisting that no such equipment was recovered during the operation.
The rebuttal follows a report by The Nation citing ICPC affidavits, which alleged that operatives had recovered “electronic magnetic equipment capable of tapping conversations” and “sensitive security documents capable of compromising national security” during the raid. The documents reportedly stated the search was conducted in the presence of El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza Isma El-Rufai, and son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai.
The ICPC was quoted as claiming, “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.” The affidavit also alleged that sensitive security documents from various agencies were recovered, and that El-Rufai was threatening potential witnesses.
Responding via his X account, the lawmaker dismissed the allegations, saying the family viewed them “with a mixture of contempt and amusement,” accusing the ICPC of waging a “media war rather than adhere to the rule of law.”
Addressing the suggestion of non-cooperation, the statement emphasized the former governor’s constitutional rights, noting, “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.”
READ ALSO:
- Easter Tragedy In Benue As Suspected Attackers Kill 17 In Fresh Assault
- Wife Of Former INEC Chairman Passes Away
- Politics Not As Easy As It Looks — Davido Opens Up On Changed Ambition
- Tinubu Commissions Gateway Airport, Launches New Airline In Ogun
- Resident Doctors Declare Indefinite Strike Over Allowance Dispute
The statement quoted El-Rufai himself, who said, “Charge me, if you have anything against me. You have had more than 2 years to investigate me. Take me to court, please.”
The family further denied the ICPC’s claims about the items recovered, stating, “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 also questioned the legality of the search warrant, claiming it was defective and had been challenged in court. “Our lawyers have challenged this illegitimate warrant in a court of competent jurisdiction,” the statement said.
El-Rufai has been in custody since February 16, 2026, after voluntarily reporting to the EFCC. He was later transferred to ICPC on February 18, where he is being held under a 14-day remand order obtained on February 19. He faces allegations of corruption and financial irregularities during his tenure as Kaduna State governor from 2015 to 2023, including questionable payments and fund diversions involving large sums such as €1.4 million.
Separately, the former governor has 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.