By Micah Jonah
March 15, 2026
The family of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has rejected allegations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) that sophisticated phone-tapping equipment and sensitive security documents were discovered during a search of his residence.
In a statement issued by his son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives, the family described the allegations as false and accused the anti-graft agency of conducting a “malicious smear campaign.”
The response followed a counter-affidavit filed by the ICPC at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja opposing a fundamental rights enforcement suit brought by El-Rufai.
ICPC’s allegations:
The ICPC said it executed a search warrant at the former governor’s residence in Asokoro on February 19 while he was in custody. According to the agency, the operation was witnessed by his wife, Hadiza Isma El-Rufai, and his son.
Investigators claimed they recovered several electronic devices and documents during the search, including equipment allegedly capable of intercepting communications. The commission also told the court that El-Rufai declined to grant consent for forensic access to some of the devices.
In its filing, the ICPC argued that the recovered materials were relevant to ongoing investigations and urged the court to dismiss El-Rufai’s suit challenging his arrest and detention.
Family disputes claims:
El-Rufai’s family insisted that no such surveillance equipment was found in the house. They said only personal items such as old mobile phones, laptops and flash drives were taken during the search.
“We were present when these items were seized,” the statement said. “The alleged sophisticated tapping equipment exists only in the imagination of the ICPC.”
The family also defended the former governor’s refusal to cooperate during questioning, arguing that exercising the right to remain silent is protected under the constitution and should not be interpreted as evidence of wrongdoing.
Allegation of forged warrant:
The family further claimed that the search itself was based on an invalid warrant, alleging it was fraudulently obtained and signed by a magistrate who lacked jurisdiction to issue it.
According to the statement, their legal team has already challenged the warrant in court and will contest the legality of the search and any materials allegedly recovered.
Legal dispute continues:
The case stems from El-Rufai’s lawsuit against the ICPC and other authorities seeking N1 billion in damages over what he described as unlawful arrest and detention.
The ICPC maintains that its actions are lawful and part of its mandate to investigate corruption-related offences.
With both sides presenting sharply conflicting accounts, the dispute is now expected to be resolved in court, where judges will determine the legality of the search warrant and the admissibility of any evidence collected.
