- Nasir El-Rufai’s counsel alleged security operatives attempted to arrest him at Abuja airport without presenting a warrant
- The lawyer said the EFCC had been informed El-Rufai would honour an invitation on 16 February and described the move as arbitrary
- The legal team demanded the return of his passport and vowed to pursue action, while security agencies had yet to respond
Counsel to former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has accused security operatives of attempting to unlawfully arrest his client on Thursday afternoon upon his arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, from Cairo, Egypt.
In a statement dated 12 February 2026 and signed by Ubong Akpan of the Chambers of Ubong Akpan, the lawyer alleged that operatives moved against El-Rufai shortly after he landed aboard EgyptAir flight MS 877 from Cairo.
“We unequivocally condemn the attempted illegal arrest of our client by security operatives this afternoon upon his arrival in Abuja. This is a flagrant violation of constitutional rights, executive overreach, and a deliberate disregard for the rule of law,” Akpan said.
According to the statement, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had earlier sent an invitation to El-Rufai while he was already outside the country, a move the lawyer described as unreasonable.
“The invitation from the EFCC was delivered to Malam El-Rufai’s residence while he was already abroad, rendering it inherently illogical to demand immediate attendance. We formally communicated with the EFCC since December 2025, assuring compliance upon his return,” Akpan stated.
He added that the commission had been notified that El-Rufai would appear voluntarily.
“Yesterday, we explicitly informed them that he would appear at their office by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, 16 February 2026. Resorting to arrest despite this clear commitment exemplifies arbitrary conduct and undermines procedural integrity,” he said.
The lawyer further alleged that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) attempted to arrest the former governor without presenting a warrant or formal invitation.
“Upon his arrival, security operatives moved to arrest Malam El-Rufai without presenting any warrant or letter. When he demanded to see the invitation, none could be produced — no document, no signed directive, no lawful process,” Akpan claimed.
He also accused the operatives of seizing El-Rufai’s international passport.
“In the same unlawful manner, operatives physically snatched his international passport. This act is nothing short of stealing — the unlawful taking of private property by agents of the state acting without colour of authority,” he alleged.
Akpan said some passengers and airport users intervened during the incident, insisting that due process must be followed.
“That citizens had to remind security operatives of the Constitution is both shameful and instructive,” he added.
The counsel argued that the alleged actions violated several constitutional provisions, including the rights to personal liberty, dignity, fair hearing, freedom of movement and property ownership.
“There exists no justifiable basis for this attempted arrest or the accompanying mistreatment,” he said, adding that El-Rufai returned to Nigeria despite alleged intelligence of plans to intercept him.
The statement demanded the immediate cessation of any efforts to detain the former governor and the return of his passport, along with a formal apology.
“We demand the immediate and unconditional cessation of all unlawful efforts to detain Malam El-Rufai, the immediate return of his stolen passport, and a formal apology for this egregious infringement on his dignity and rights,” Akpan said.
He stressed that El-Rufai would honour all legitimate law-enforcement summons without preconditions and vowed to pursue legal action against those responsible for the alleged incident.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had not issued an official response to the allegations.