El-Rufai’s family faults ICPC over alleged phone-tapping equipment

By: Zagazola Makama 

The family of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has dismissed allegations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) concerning the discovery of alleged phone-tapping equipment during a recent search.

In a statement made available to newsmen on Monday, the family described the allegations as false and accused the commission of attempting to malign the former governor.

The ICPC had earlier alleged that certain equipment, including items it described as sophisticated surveillance devices, were recovered during a search linked to its investigation.

Reacting, the family said the former governor’s decision not to make statements during interactions with investigators was in exercise of his constitutional right to remain silent.

“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees every citizen the right to remain silent. This should not be misconstrued as refusal to cooperate,” the statement said.

The family quoted El-Rufai as challenging the commission to file charges if it had evidence against him.

“Charge me, if you have anything against me. You have had more than two years to investigate me. Take me to court,” the statement attributed to him.

The family also disputed the list of items allegedly recovered, describing it as fictitious.

According to the statement, only old personal mobile phones, storage devices and laptops were seized from the property during the search.

It further alleged that the search warrant used for the operation was defective and had been challenged in court by the former governor’s legal team.

“The search originated from what we believe to be a legally defective warrant. Our lawyers have challenged the warrant in a court of competent jurisdiction,” the family stated.

The ICPC had yet to issue a response to the latest claims as of the time of filing this report.