Wiretapping Accusation: Family Stands by El-Rufai

The El-Rufai Family’s Defense Against ICPC Allegations

The family of Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, has come forward to defend him against allegations made by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) that wiretapping equipment was recovered during a raid on his residence. This claim has sparked significant controversy and raised questions about the legitimacy of the investigation.

El-Rufai has been in the custody of the ICPC since February 18, 2026, after being granted bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following questioning over alleged financial misconduct during his tenure as governor. The ICPC had previously stated that it had retrieved an equipment capable of tapping conversations from the former governor’s residence. However, the family disputes these claims, asserting that the evidence presented is fabricated.

Accusations of Fabricated Evidence

El-Rufai’s son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, accused the ICPC of descending into what he described as “a circus of chicanery.” He alleged that the commission was attempting to weaponize his father’s silence against him. According to Bello, the family has credible evidence that El-Rufai’s investigation warrant was forged and fraudulently procured. He further claimed that during the raid on the residence in Abuja, only “old discarded personal mobile phones some dating back as much as 20 years, storage devices like flash drives and laptops” were seized, which are standard possessions of any 21st-century citizen.

Bello emphasized that the entire foundation of this investigation is rotten, stating that the ICPC’s press statement is a work of fiction. He highlighted that the list of seized equipment was not endorsed by El-Rufai or his legal representatives and that no other equipment besides the mentioned items was found.

Legal Challenges and Concerns

The family has challenged the legality of the search warrant, claiming that it was obtained through forgery and fraud. They argue that the magistrate who issued the warrant was sitting in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, which they consider bizarre. This illegality, they assert, renders everything that follows inadmissible and void. Their legal team has already filed a challenge in a court of competent jurisdiction.

The ICPC has not responded publicly to these claims, but one of its officials told Daily Trust that the commission would respond at an appropriate time. The family remains confident that the Nigerian judiciary will uphold their rights against what they describe as executive overreach.

The ICPC’s Position

In a deposition before an FCT High Court, the ICPC explained how it allegedly recovered wiretapping equipment from El-Rufai’s residence. The commission stated that during the search on February 19, it retrieved electronic magnetic equipment capable of tapping conversations and asked El-Rufai to give consent to access the equipment, which he refused. The ICPC also claimed to have retrieved sensitive security documents and alleged that the former governor threatened likely prosecution witnesses.

The commission maintained that El-Rufai was lawfully detained pursuant to a remand order issued by a Magistrate Court in Bwari, FCT, and denied allegations of arbitrary detention. It emphasized that it followed due process in inviting El-Rufai based on a petition alleging corrupt practices.

The Petition Against El-Rufai

The petition against Nasir El-Rufai alleged serious financial and administrative irregularities during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State. These included discrepancies in the state’s debt profile, questionable cash withdrawals in foreign currency amounting to £1.4 million, and diversion of public revenue by failing to remit funds into the Treasury Single Account (TSA). The petition also cited the use of a debit card linked to a revenue bank account for transactions totaling N721.67 million, allegedly in violation of Section 3.3.1 of the Kaduna State Financial Policies and Procedures Manual 2016.

El-Rufai’s Statement and Pre-Arrest Message

In a statement on oath to the ICPC, El-Rufai said he was being persecuted as an opposition figure. He stated that he would exercise his right to silence until arraigned before a court. El-Rufai, a leading member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), claimed that the real reason for his investigation is his political affiliation.

He also released a pre-arrest message urging Nigerians to shun violence and self-help, emphasizing the importance of peaceful and lawful conduct. In the video, he acknowledged the possibility of prolonged detention and urged citizens to channel private disputes to the courts and allow public institutions to handle broader grievances.

Calls for Judicial Scrutiny

Lawyer and security expert Bulama Bukarti has called on the ICPC to immediately arraign El-Rufai if it has credible evidence against him, warning that prolonged detention without trial undermines due process and the rule of law. Bukarti emphasized that the matter must move from media debate to judicial scrutiny, stating that if the ICPC has found any evidence, it should present it before a court of law.

He noted that while El-Rufai remains entitled to the presumption of innocence, no public office holder is above the law. Bukarti also addressed the dispute over the search warrant, stating that even if procedural lapses are established, that alone may not automatically invalidate evidence recovered.