The former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has denied claims that anti-graft operatives recovered wiretapping devices from his property, insisting that only faulty and outdated mobile phones were seized.
In a statement issued by his family, El-Rufai challenged reports attributed to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) that sophisticated surveillance equipment was discovered during a recent search, describing the claims as fabricated and misleading.
The family’s response was signed by Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, representative of Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, on Monday.
According to the statement, family members were present during the operation and maintained that no specialised interception gadgets or classified security documents were found.
“No equipment other than old discarded personal mobile phones, some nearly two decades old, alongside flash drives and laptops, was taken,” the statement said.
“The alleged tapping devices exist only in the imagination of those promoting the narrative.”
The family also rejected claims that El-Rufai failed to cooperate with investigators, arguing that exercising the constitutional right to remain silent cannot be construed as obstruction.
Quoting the former governor, the statement read “Charge me if you have anything against me. You have had more than two years to investigate. Take me to court.”
Beyond disputing the items recovered, the family questioned the legality of the search, alleging that the warrant used was defective, fraudulently obtained, and issued without proper jurisdiction.
El-Rufai’s legal team has challenged the warrant’s validity in court, insisting that any evidence obtained through the process would be inadmissible.
The family also accused the ICPC of conducting a media trial rather than adhering to due process, claiming the public statement was intended to create the impression of espionage and criminality without substantiated proof.
“We will not be tried in the court of public opinion,” the statement added, noting that all legal remedies would be pursued to defend their rights.
