The family of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El Rufai has rejected allegations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission over the alleged discovery of phone tapping equipment.
In a statement signed by Mohammed Bello El Rufai on behalf of the family, the claims were described as false and politically motivated.
The family characterised the allegations as a smear campaign aimed at prosecuting what it called a media trial instead of following due legal process.
It maintained that El Rufai exercised his constitutional right to remain silent during interactions with investigators.
The statement stressed that his silence should not be interpreted as a refusal to cooperate with law enforcement authorities.
According to the family, items recovered during the search were limited to old personal mobile phones, laptops and storage devices.
It insisted that reports of sophisticated surveillance equipment and sensitive security documents were fabricated.
The family further alleged that the search was carried out using a forged warrant said to have been issued outside proper jurisdiction.
It added that its legal team has challenged the validity of the warrant in court.
The ICPC has yet to respond to the latest claims as of the time of filing this report.
