Family of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has strongly denied claims by Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) that phone-tapping equipment was discovered in his Abuja residence during a recent search operation.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement released on Monday, the family described the allegation as misleading and untrue, insisting that no surveillance or interception devices were recovered from the property when operatives of the anti-graft agency carried out the raid on February 19, 2026.
According to the family, only old mobile phones, laptops, and flash drives were taken from the residence, stressing that these items are ordinary personal belongings commonly found in most homes. They explained that some of the phones seized were more than 20 years old and no longer in active use, adding that no specialised equipment capable of intercepting phone conversations was found.
Their reaction followed an affidavit filed by the ICPC before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, in which the commission claimed it recovered electronic magnetic devices allegedly capable of tapping conversations. The agency also alleged that el-Rufai declined to grant investigators access to the supposed equipment during the search.
However, the family maintained that the claims were fabricated, stating that they were present throughout the search and carefully observed all items removed from the house. They accused the commission of attempting to misrepresent routine electronic devices as espionage tools to strengthen its case.
The controversy comes against the backdrop of an earlier statement by el-Rufai, in which he claimed he had access to a recorded phone conversation involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, allegedly in which instructions were given for his arrest. El-Rufai admitted that listening in on private calls without legal authorization was unlawful but argued that such practices were not uncommon within government circles.
Meanwhile, the family also faulted the ICPC for portraying el-Rufai’s decision to remain silent during questioning as non-cooperation. They cited provisions of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantee every citizen the right to remain silent, stressing that no negative inference should be drawn from exercising that right.
In addition, they challenged the legality of the search warrant used for the operation, describing it as procedurally flawed and fraudulently obtained. According to them, their legal team has already filed applications before the court to contest the warrant and seek redress over what they termed an unlawful search and damaging public statements.
The ICPC is currently investigating el-Rufai over alleged financial improprieties and mismanagement of public funds during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023, allegations the former governor has repeatedly denied.
