Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, the House of Representatives member for Kaduna North and son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has strongly criticized the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), claiming the anti-graft agency is being deployed as a political weapon against his father.
The accusation follows the ICPC's recent court filing and public statements alleging that operatives recovered electronic equipment capable of intercepting communications—commonly referred to as phone-tapping or wiretapping devices—along with sensitive security documents during a search of Nasir El-Rufai's residence in Abuja.
The commission noted that the search occurred in the presence of El-Rufai's wife, Hadiza Isma El-Rufai, and his son Bello, and that the former governor declined to consent to forensic examination of some items.
In a statement titled “The Insecurity of ICPC,” Bello El-Rufai dismissed the claims as baseless and part of a broader effort to manipulate public opinion. He accused the agency of exceeding its legal mandate, engaging in unprofessional conduct, and potentially fabricating or manipulating documents to support its case.
“The ICPC’s release illustrates an attempt to manipulate public perception. It contains allegations and documentation that contradict the standards the commission is expected to uphold, including the creation of questionable records,” Bello stated.
“This pattern of conduct reflects misuse of authority and suggests the agency has been influenced and repurposed for political objectives.”
The lawmaker further asserted that the family views the allegations with “contempt and amusement,” describing the purported phone-tapping equipment as “fictitious” and insisting that only ordinary personal devices, such as old mobile phones, laptops, and flash drives were taken during the operation. He emphasized that no specialized surveillance gear was found.
Bello highlighted the ICPC's portrayal of Nasir El-Rufai's exercise of his constitutional right to silence as non-cooperation, accusing the commission of weaponizing this right in a smear campaign rather than pursuing genuine accountability.
The family has instructed legal counsel to contest what they describe as unlawful investigative procedures, questionable evidence, and misleading public assertions by the ICPC. Bello expressed confidence that the judiciary would intervene to establish the facts and uphold due process.
The ICPC's actions stem from a petition alleging financial misconduct during El-Rufai's tenure as governor from 2015 to 2023, though the family maintains the probe is politically driven and lacks credibility.
This development has sparked debate over the independence of anti-corruption institutions in Nigeria amid ongoing investigations into high-profile figures. The matter remains under legal scrutiny, with both sides indicating further court proceedings ahead.
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