‘ICPC Now a Political Weapon’: Bello El-Rufai Slams Raid on Father’s Abuja Residence, Alleging Orchestrated Smear Campaign

Mohammed Bello El-Rufai accuses the ICPC of a smear campaign after a raid on his father's Abuja home, denying claims of seized surveillance gear.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 3, 2026, 7:15 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Politics Nigeria

The Raid on the El-Rufai Residence

On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) conducted a high-profile search of the Abuja residence of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who served as the Governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023. The operation, which the ICPC states was carried out in the presence of the former governor’s wife and son, has triggered a firestorm of political controversy. Following the search, the commission released a statement alleging the recovery of items linked to phone interception, wiretapping, and other "sensitive security materials," further claiming that El-Rufai had refused to allow forensic examinations of the seized devices.

Bello El-Rufai’s Sharp Rebuttal

The former governor’s son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, who represents Kaduna North in the House of Representatives, reacted swiftly with a statement titled “The Insecurity of ICPC.” Bello dismissed the commission's claims as "contemptuous and amusing," asserting that no surveillance or illegal interception equipment was found on the premises. According to the lawmaker, the operatives only took "ordinary personal items" such as old mobile phones, laptops, and flash drives. He accused the ICPC of manipulating public perception by framing these everyday electronics as high-tech security threats.

Allegations of Political Weaponization

Bello El-Rufai’s primary contention is that the ICPC has deviated from its professional mandate to serve as a tool for political vendettas. He argued that the raid and the subsequent press release were designed to damage his father's reputation rather than seek justice. “This pattern of conduct reflects misuse of authority and suggests the agency has been influenced and repurposed for political objectives,” Bello stated. He further faulted the agency for presenting Nasir El-Rufai’s constitutional right to remain silent as an act of defiance, calling it a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.