‘Don’t abduct El-Rufai from court’

Former spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has raised alarm over an alleged plot to forcibly take former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai into custody from the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday.

In a statement issued early Monday, Frank said he received information suggesting that security operatives might attempt to arrest el-Rufai when he appears before Justice M.B. Idris.

“Pursuant to what appears to be a grand plan by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to politically eliminate Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, I have been reliably informed that plans have allegedly been concluded … to forcefully take him into custody today from the Federal High Court, Abuja, where he is meant to appear,” Frank said.

He argued that such an action would violate existing court orders stipulating that el-Rufai remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) pending determination of ongoing court matters. Frank also claimed that security operatives convened the previous night to finalise arrangements for the alleged operation.

Frank warned that if any attempt to silence el-Rufai fails, authorities might resort to prolonged detention until after the 2027 elections.

The activist also criticised Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, noting that the former civil rights advocate now appeared associated with actions inconsistent with the rule of law.

“Any attempt to forcibly remove el-Rufai from court premises in defiance of subsisting court orders would amount to an assault on the rule of law,” Frank said, calling on civil society, northern leaders, religious authorities, and the international community to monitor developments closely.

Invoking the famous warning of German pastor Martin Niemöller on the dangers of remaining silent in the face of injustice, Frank questioned whether el-Rufai was being unfairly singled out among former governors currently under scrutiny.

While affirming his support for anti-corruption efforts, he stressed that such measures must respect fairness, due process, and freedom from political persecution.