**El-Rufai's Family Fires Back at ICPC: 'Malicious Smear Campaign'** In a bold move, the family of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has rejected claims by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) that the ex-governor refused to cooperate with investigators. At the center of the controversy is a probe into alleged surveillance equipment found at a property linked to El-Rufai. According to the family, the ICPC has embarked on a "malicious smear campaign" against the former governor. They argue that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees every citizen the right to remain silent, which is not an act of non-cooperation but a fundamental human right. The family's statement, issued by Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives, highlights the ICPC's alleged mishandling of the investigation. **A Web of Allegations** The family has questioned the legality of the search operation, alleging that the warrant used to authorise the raid was improperly secured and lacked jurisdiction. They claim that only "old discarded personal mobile phones, flash drives, and laptops" were taken from the property, contradicting the ICPC's claims of finding specialised phone-tapping or espionage devices. Furthermore, the family has accused the ICPC of using a forged warrant to carry out the search. They have already approached the courts to contest the validity of the warrant and any material obtained under it. This development has added fuel to the fire, with the family calling into question the entire foundation of the investigation. **A ₦1 Billion Lawsuit** The controversy has taken a new turn with El-Rufai filing a ₦1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit against the ICPC over the alleged unlawful invasion of his Abuja residence. The former governor is challenging the validity of a search warrant issued by a Magistrate's Court, which he claims was a forgery. This lawsuit has sparked a heated debate about the ICPC's actions and the implications for the investigation. As the controversy unfolds, Nigerians are left to wonder about the credibility of the ICPC's probe and the alleged surveillance equipment. The ICPC's actions have been met with skepticism, and the El-Rufai family's allegations have raised questions about the agency's handling of the investigation. Only time will tell if the ICPC's claims will hold water or if the El-Rufai family