EL-RUFAI’S ABUJA HOME CLEARED OF WIRETAPPING EQUIPMENT — FAMILY
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The family of former Nasir El-Rufai has denied reports that sophisticated phone-tapping devices and sensitive security documents were recovered during a raid on his Abuja residence.
In a statement on Monday, his son, Mohammed El-Rufai, who represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency, dismissed the claims as false and politically motivated, asserting that no “sophisticated tapping equipment” was seized during the search.
The rebuttal comes after a report by The Nation on Monday detailing the agency’s assertions.
According to affidavits filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, operatives allegedly recovered “electronic magnetic equipment capable of tapping conversations” and “sensitive security documents capable of compromising national security” during the operation, which was conducted in the presence of El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza Isma El-Rufai, and son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) was quoted as saying that the applicant, Nasir El-Rufai, had admitted on national television (Arise Television) to tapping the telephone conversations of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The commission added that during the search, electronic magnetic equipment allegedly capable of tapping conversations was recovered.
El-Rufai was reportedly asked to provide consent for the ICPC to access the equipment, but he refused. A copy of the consent form has been attached as Exhibit ICPC 5.
“The search reportedly also recovered sensitive security documents from various government agencies.
“The applicant is further alleged to have threatened potential prosecution witnesses, with one such witness writing to the commission seeking protection. A copy of the letter has been attached as Exhibit ICPC 6.”
In response, in a statement released on Monday via his X handle, Mohammed El-Rufai said the family viewed the allegations “with a mixture of contempt and amusement,” accusing the commission of waging a “media war rather than adhering to the rule of law.”
Addressing claims of non-cooperation, the statement defended El-Rufai’s decision to remain silent during interactions with investigators, noting that it is his constitutional right.
“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees every citizen the right to remain silent. This is not non-cooperation; it is a fundamental human right,” the family’s statement said.
Quoting the former governor, it added: “Charge me if you have anything against me. You have had more than two years to investigate me. Take me to court, please.”
The statement also challenged the list of items reportedly recovered by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, asserting 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… and storage devices like flash drives and laptops—which are standard possessions of any 21st-century citizen—were taken from the property,” the family’s statement said.
The statement further alleged that the search warrant used for the operation was defective and had been legally challenged.
“Our lawyers have contested this illegitimate warrant in a court of competent jurisdiction,” it added, claiming the warrant was fraudulently obtained.
The family also stated that it had instructed its legal team to pursue all available remedies, including challenging what it described as an illegal search and defamatory statements.
According to The Media, Nasir El-Rufai has been in custody since February 16, 2026, when he voluntarily reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in response to an invitation and was subsequently detained.
He remained in EFCC custody until the night of February 18, 2026, when he was transferred to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), where he has been held under a 14-day remand order obtained on February 19, 2026.
El-Rufai is being 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 surrounding large sums such as €1.4 million.
The former Kaduna state Governor has also filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit seeking ₦1 billion in damages, challenging the legality of the raid and alleging infringements on his rights to dignity, liberty, fair hearing, and privacy.
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