Bello El-Rufai responds to allegations against father, denies ICPC claims as family threatens legal action
By KEMI KASUMU
In a statement published on his official Facebook page on Monday, March 2, 2026, Bello El-Rufai said he had stayed away from social media in recent weeks to focus on Ramadan, his family, and his legislative responsibilities. He said he was compelled to respond to what he described as a false allegation reported by The Nation, which he claimed was attributed to sources within the (ICPC).
Hon. Muhammad Bello El-Rufai, the lawmaker representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has publicly addressed allegations involving his father, former .
In a statement published on his official Facebook page on Monday, March 2, 2026, Bello El-Rufai said he had stayed away from social media in recent weeks to focus on Ramadan, his family, and his legislative responsibilities. He said he was compelled to respond to what he described as a false allegation reported by The Nation, which he claimed was attributed to sources within the (ICPC).
The lawmaker noted that a formal statement from the El-Rufai family was attached to his post and shared publicly. He concluded his message by wishing Nigerians a peaceful Ramadan.
The attached statement, issued under the heading “For Immediate Release,” was presented as the El-Rufai family’s official response to allegations concerning what the ICPC reportedly described as “phone tapping equipment.”
The family said it received the allegations with “a mixture of contempt and amusement,” accusing the commission of spreading falsehoods and engaging in what it termed a media-driven campaign.
Addressing claims that Nasir El-Rufai had refused to cooperate with investigators, the statement cited constitutional provisions guaranteeing citizens the right to remain silent. It argued that exercising that right should not be interpreted as non-cooperation. The statement also quoted the former governor as saying: “Charge me, if you have anything against me. You have had more than two years to investigate me. Take me to court please.”
On the issue of equipment allegedly recovered during a search, the family disputed the ICPC’s account, describing the published list of items as inaccurate. According to the statement, family members were present during the search and said that only “old discarded personal mobile phones,” storage devices, and laptops were taken. It maintained that the alleged phone-tapping equipment and sensitive documents did not exist.
The family further questioned the legality of the search, alleging that it was conducted using a forged warrant. The statement claimed the warrant was improperly issued and disclosed that legal action had been initiated to challenge its validity in court. The ICPC was invited to address the matter before a court of law.
In its concluding remarks, the family said it had instructed its legal team to pursue remedies against what it described as an illegal search and defamatory statements. It also expressed confidence in the Nigerian judiciary and rejected what it termed a trial by public opinion.
The statement was signed by Mohammed Bello El-Rufai in his capacity as a member of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on Banking Regulations, and was dated March 2, 2026.
See screenshots of of statement below:
