El-Rufai Family Rejects ICPC Allegations, Affirms Right to Silence

By Abah Margaret

The family of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed allegations by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) over the seizure of phone-tapping equipment, describing the claims as false, politically motivated, and misleading.

In a statement released on March 2, 2026, and signed by Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, the family accused the anti-corruption agency of conducting a smear campaign and misrepresenting the outcome of a search at the former governor’s property.

The family defended El-Rufai’s decision not to respond to ICPC investigators, citing the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to remain silent. They stressed that exercising this constitutional right should not be misconstrued as non-cooperation.

According to the statement, El-Rufai has repeatedly challenged authorities to file charges if evidence existed against him. The family also denied ICPC claims that sophisticated phone-tapping devices and sensitive security documents were recovered, insisting that only old mobile phones, flash drives, and laptops — common personal devices — were seized.

Furthermore, the family alleged that the search was conducted under a forged warrant, fraudulently issued by a magistrate purporting to act with High Court authority. Legal counsel has since challenged the warrant in court, arguing that any evidence obtained from the unlawful search is inadmissible.

The El-Rufai family emphasized its intention to pursue all available legal remedies to contest what it described as defamatory statements and executive overreach. They expressed confidence in the Nigerian judiciary to uphold their rights and urged Nigerians to pray for peace and unity, especially during the Ramadan period.

In the statement, the family strongly criticized ICPC for attempting to weaponize El-Rufai’s silence, calling it “a textbook example of an agency overstepping its mandate and engaging in political theatrics.” They reiterated that no law enforcement body has the right to draw negative inferences from a citizen exercising constitutional protections.

Signed on March 2, 2026, by Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, the family reaffirmed their faith in the rule of law and called on the public to “stand guided and avoid being misled by unverified claims.”