‘You Took My Bank Tokens Too’ — El-Rufai’s Wife Mocks ICPC Over Wiretapping Claim

The wife of former Kaduna State governor Hadiza El-Rufai, has mocked the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) after allegations that wiretapping equipment was recovered during a search of her Abuja residence, dismissing the claim and suggesting that ordinary personal items like her bank tokens were taken instead.

In a post on X on Tuesday, Hadiza reacted to media reports quoting ICPC’s allegation that electronic devices capable of tapping conversations were retrieved during a search of the property.

“You forgot to mention that you also took away my bank tokens,” she wrote, adding, “I swear to God, they are not wiretapping equipment.”

ICPC had told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in an affidavit that its operatives recovered equipment allegedly capable of intercepting conversations, along with sensitive security documents, during a February 19 search of the home.

The Commission said the items were seized as part of an investigation into alleged financial improprieties during El-Rufai’s tenure as governor between 2015 and 2023.

The family has rejected the allegations, insisting that only old mobile phones and storage devices such as flash drives and laptops  items they described as standard possessions in modern households — were removed. They further argued that the search warrant was legally defective and that their decision not to answer questions during the operation should not be interpreted as non-cooperation, citing constitutional protections.

In February, El-Rufai alleged that someone tapped the phone of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, enabling him to hear a conversation in which he claimed the NSA ordered his arrest. While acknowledging that such actions would be illegal without judicial approval, the former governor suggested that government agencies sometimes engage in similar practices. The ICPC has not responded to the latest comments.