Security operatives tried to nab former Kaduna Governor Nasir el-Rufai right at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport upon his return from Cairo, Egypt, according to his media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye.
In a fiery X post, Adekeye said agents cornered el-Rufai moments after he stepped off his Wednesday, February 11, 2026 flight. The ex-governor stood his ground, refusing to go with them without a proper invitation.
El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, slammed the move as a “flagrant violation of constitutional rights” and “executive overreach.” He accused Department of State Services (DSS) operatives of attempting the detention without a warrant or formal notice.
According to a statement by Akpan, el-Rufai demanded to see the letter of invitation but none was produced.
He said the operatives then “physically snatched” his international passport from an aide, an act the counsel termed “stealing” and a violation of property rights.
Akpan said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had delivered an invitation to el-Rufai’s residence in December 2025 while he was abroad, which his team deemed impractical.
He said they formally assured the EFCC of compliance and notified the agency on February 11, 2026, that el-Rufai would voluntarily appear at their office by 10:00 am on Monday, February 16, 2026.
Akpan said despite this commitment, the attempted arrest proceeded.
The counsel cited multiple constitutional infringements, including rights to personal liberty, fair hearing, dignity of the human person, freedom of movement, and ownership of property.
“There exists no justifiable basis for this attempted arrest or the accompanying mistreatment. Despite prior intelligence of plans to effect this arrest, Malam El-Rufai proceeded with his return following medical treatment and rest abroad, publicly affirming his commitment to face any legitimate inquiry. This premeditated interception at the airport exemplifies lawlessness and an abuse of state power,” the statement reads.
Akpan demanded the immediate return of the passport, cessation of unlawful efforts to detain el-Rufai, and a formal apology.
He noted that el-Rufai would never flee law enforcement and would honour all legitimate summons without preconditions.
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