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Misleading

Online image of El-Rufai with ‘wiretapping device’ AI generated

Nurudeen Akewushola
Nurudeen Akewushola
Reading Time: 1 min.
screenshot of the viral post

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AN image purportedly showing former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, being caught with a wiretapping device during a raid by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has surfaced online.

An X user, @MasterBolaji, posted the image with the caption:

“So, El-Rufai was really serious. He actually wire tapped the NSA calls. Wow!”

READ : False claims that El-Rufai defects to PDP circulate on X

As of March 2, 2026, the post had generated over 200 reposts and more than 900 likes.

CLAIM

The image shows El-Rufai with a wiretapping device during the ICPC raid on his residence.

screenshot of the viral post

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING.

In February 2026, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) carried out a raid on El-Rufai’s Abuja residence as part of an investigation into alleged corrupt practices and security-related infractions.

According to court filings, operatives executed a search warrant on February 19 at his Asokoro residence, accompanied by officers of the Nigeria Police Force. The agency told the Federal Capital Territory High Court that it recovered electronic equipment allegedly capable of intercepting communications, as well as sensitive documents. It also obtained a 14-day remand order for further investigation.

READ ALSO :No, Kaduna has generated foreign investment since El-Rufai left office

However, El-Rufai and his family have denied the allegations. His wife, Hadiza Isma El-Rufai, publicly rejected claims that any wiretapping devices were found in their home, describing the allegations as false.

Meanwhile, analysis of the viral image shows clear indicators that it was generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI). The image carries a visible Gemini logo watermark, suggesting it was produced using Google’s AI image generation tool.

Further checks conducted by The FactCheckHub using AI-detection tools, including Hive Moderation and “Is It AI,” indicate a 99% probability that the image was AI-generated.

result from hive moderation

There is no credible evidence showing that the image is an authentic photograph taken during the ICPC raid.

VERDICT

The claim that the image shows El-Rufai caught with a wiretapping device during the ICPC raid is MISLEADING. The image was generated using Artificial Intelligence and does not depict a real event.

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Nurudeen Akewushola is a fact-checker with FactCheckHub. He has authored several fact checks which have contributed to the fight against information disorder. You can reach him via nyahaya@icirnigeria.org and @NurudeenAkewus1 via Twitter.

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