Hon. Mohammed Bello El‑Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives, has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of waging a smear campaign against Malam Nasir El‑Rufai, his father, by “weaponizing” his constitutional right to silence.

In a lengthy statement issued on Monday and signed on behalf of the El-Rufai family, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai said it was “deeply unfortunate” that a constitutionally established agency had “descended into what can only be described as a circus of chicanery,” alleging that the ICPC was prosecuting a media war rather than adhering to the rule of law.

Addressing claims by the Commission that Nasir El-Rufai refused to cooperate with investigators, the lawmaker said the allegation betrayed a misunderstanding of basic constitutional protections.

He argued that the 1999 Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to remain silent, insisting that exercising that right cannot lawfully be construed as non-cooperation or guilt.

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“Our father has consistently told law enforcement agencies: ‘Charge me if you have anything against me. You have had more than two years to investigate me. Take me to court,’” the statement said, adding that the ICPC’s inability to do so explained what the family described as “lies and obfuscation.”

Furthermore, the family alleged that the entire search was based on a forged and legally defective warrant, purportedly issued by a magistrate who lacked the jurisdiction of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory. They said their lawyers had already challenged the warrant in court, arguing that any evidence arising from it was inadmissible.

Describing the ICPC’s conduct as a “credibility deficit,” the statement accused the agency of forgery, abuse of office and the peddling of falsehoods, and claimed it was acting on behalf of unnamed political interests. The family said it would pursue all available legal remedies and expressed confidence that the Nigerian judiciary would uphold their rights.

Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, who represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency and chairs the House Committee on Banking Regulations, signed the statement on March 2, 2026, describing himself as “a proud son of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.”

The ICPC has yet to respond publicly to the latest allegations. (Daily Trust)