El-Rufai’s Lawyers Condemn Alleged Attempted Arrest at Abuja Airport

Lawyers representing former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, have condemned what they describe as an unlawful attempt by security operatives to arrest their client upon his arrival in Abuja on Wednesday afternoon.

According to a statement issued by his counsel, Ubong Esop Akpan of The Chambers of Ubong Akpan, the incident occurred shortly after El-Rufai landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport aboard Egypt Air flight MS 877 from Cairo.

The lawyers allege that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) attempted to arrest the former governor without presenting any warrant, formal invitation, or lawful documentation.

Akpan said the attempted arrest amounted to “a flagrant violation of constitutional rights, executive overreach, and a deliberate disregard for the rule of law.”

He explained that the invitation earlier sent by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to El-Rufai was delivered while he was outside the country, making immediate compliance impossible. The legal team stated that they had communicated formally with the EFCC since December 2025, affirming the former governor’s willingness to honour the invitation upon his return. On Tuesday, they notified the Commission that El-Rufai would appear at its Abuja office by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026.

“Despite this explicit notice, security operatives moved to arrest Malam El-Rufai at the airport without presenting any letter, warrant, or signed directive. When he requested to see a formal invitation, none was produced,” the statement said.

The lawyers further alleged that security operatives forcibly seized El-Rufai’s international passport, describing the act as “the unlawful taking of private property by agents of the state acting without authority.”

Eyewitnesses at the airport were said to have intervened, insisting that the former governor could not be arrested without proper procedure. The legal team noted that the public reaction underscored citizens’ commitment to constitutional order.

Akpan listed several constitutional provisions allegedly violated during the attempted arrest, including the rights to personal liberty (Section 35), dignity (Section 34), fair hearing (Section 36), freedom of movement (Section 41), and protection from unlawful seizure of property (Section 44).

He added that despite receiving intelligence of plans to arrest him, El-Rufai chose to return to Nigeria after medical treatment abroad, publicly stating his readiness to face any legitimate inquiry.

The lawyers demanded the immediate return of his passport, cessation of what they called “unlawful efforts” to detain him, and an official apology from the relevant agencies.

They emphasized that El-Rufai “will never take the cowardly route of running away from law enforcement” and remains prepared to honour all lawful summons without conditions.

Akpan said legal action would be taken against individuals and agencies involved in the incident “to uphold accountability and deter future abuses,” stressing that the judiciary remains the proper forum for redress.