The Family of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has dismissed allegations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, relating to recovery of phone-tapping equipment from his residence.

The family, in a statement in Kaduna by Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives, described the claims of the ICPC as false and politically motivated.

Bello El-Rufai, representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency, on behalf of the family, accused the anti-corruption agency of conducting a media trial and attempting to criminalize El-Rufai’s decision to remain silent during investigations.

The statement claimed that the former governor exercised his constitutional right to silence and challenged the ICPC to formally charge him to a court of competent jurisdiction, if it had sufficient evidence against him

On the claims that sophisticated surveillance devices and sensitive security documents were seized, the family denied the existence of such equipment.

The insisted that only old mobile phones, laptops, and storage devices were found during the search, describing the items as ordinary personal belongings.

The family also alleged that the search warrant used to conduct the operation was legally defective, claiming it was fraudulently obtained and improperly issued.

The statement further said their legal team has challenged the validity of the search warrant in court and vowed to pursue all available legal remedies.