El-Rufai Not Above The Law, Probe Must Be Transparent — Security Expert

A security expert, Bulama Bukarti, has said that former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai is not above the law, insisting that investigations into allegations of phone-tapping against him must strictly follow due process and be conducted transparently.

Bukarti made the remarks on Monday while speaking on Politics Today, aired on Channels Television, against the backdrop of a recent raid on El-Rufai’s Abuja residence by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The anti-graft agency had announced that it recovered suspected wiretapping equipment allegedly capable of intercepting private communications and accessing sensitive security information during the operation.

Reacting to the development, Bukarti stressed the need for openness in the investigation, saying the public deserves clarity on what was actually recovered, if anything.

“Transparency requires that they show what was found in the house, assuming anything was found. But as of now, we don’t know the details.

“The ICPC and other agencies must understand that Nasir El-Rufai is entitled to full due process of law. His investigation must be transparent. He is not above the law,” he said.

However, the family of the former governor has strongly rejected the ICPC’s claims, accusing the commission of running what it described as a “malicious smear campaign.”

In a statement issued by El-Rufai’s son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives, the family dismissed suggestions that the former governor failed to cooperate with investigators.

“The ICPC has ludicrously attempted to weaponise the silence of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai against him, claiming he ‘refused to cooperate’,” the statement said.