Nigeria TV Info 

Family of Nasir El-Rufai Accuses Independent Corrupt Practices Commission of Smear Campaign Over Alleged Phone-Tapping Investigation

The family of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) of attempting to tarnish his reputation through what they described as a politically motivated investigation.

The allegation follows reports that the anti-corruption agency obtained a search warrant in connection with claims of illegal phone-tapping and surveillance activities allegedly linked to the former governor. However, members of El-Rufai’s family have strongly rejected the accusations, insisting that the claims are baseless and part of a smear campaign.

In a statement released to the media, the family questioned the legality and justification of the search warrant reportedly secured by the ICPC. They argued that there was no credible evidence linking El-Rufai to any unlawful interception of communications and challenged the agency to publicly disclose the grounds upon which the warrant was obtained.

According to the family, the allegations are an attempt to damage El-Rufai’s political reputation and distract from his public service record during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State. They also maintained that any attempt to link him to illegal surveillance activities is unfounded.

The ICPC has yet to release a detailed response to the accusations, but sources within the commission indicate that its actions were carried out within the framework of the law and based on intelligence gathered during an ongoing investigation.

Legal experts say the controversy may lead to a court challenge if El-Rufai’s legal team decides to formally contest the search warrant. Such a move could require the anti-corruption agency to justify the basis of its investigation before the courts.

The development has sparked debate among political observers and civil society groups in Nigeria, with some calling for transparency from the ICPC while others urge caution until the full details of the investigation emerge.