El-Rufai speaks on attempt to arrest him at airport

Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has spoken out after security operatives allegedly tried to arrest him on Thursday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

In a statement, El-Rufai’s lawyers, led by Ubong Esop Akpan, described the incident as an unlawful attempt to detain the former governor, alleging it violated his constitutional rights and amounted to a clear abuse of state power.

According to the statement, El-Rufai arrived in Abuja from Cairo aboard Egypt Air flight MS 877 when operatives of the Department of State Services allegedly moved to arrest him without presenting any warrant or formal invitation.

The lawyers argued that an earlier invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was delivered to El-Rufai’s residence while he was already outside the country, making immediate compliance impossible.

They said they had been in communication with the EFCC since December 2025 and had formally notified the commission that El-Rufai would appear voluntarily at its office by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026.

The legal team maintained that attempting to arrest him despite this arrangement showed disregard for due process and proper procedure.

The statement further alleged that during the airport encounter, security operatives seized El-Rufai’s international passport without presenting any legal document authorising the action.

The lawyers also claimed that some Nigerians present at the airport protested the move, insisting that any arrest must follow lawful process.

Citing provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the legal team said the incident breached El-Rufai’s fundamental rights, including the right to personal liberty, fair hearing, dignity of the human person, freedom of movement and right to own property.

They insisted there was no legal basis for the attempted arrest, noting that El-Rufai returned to Nigeria voluntarily despite being aware of plans to arrest him, after undergoing medical treatment and rest abroad.

The lawyers demanded an immediate end to what they described as unlawful attempts to detain him, the return of his passport, and a formal apology.

They also stressed that El-Rufai would honour all legitimate law enforcement invitations and would not evade investigation.

The legal team added that it would pursue legal action against any individual or agency found to be responsible for the incident, saying the courts would be approached to seek redress.