Counsel to former Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has strongly criticised what they described as an unlawful attempt by security operatives to arrest him on Thursday, February 12, 2026, shortly after his arrival in Abuja.
In a statement released by Ubong Esop Akpan of the Chambers of Ubong Akpan, the lawyers said El-Rufai was intercepted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport after arriving on Egypt Air flight MS 877 from Cairo. They alleged that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) tried to arrest him without presenting any warrant or formal invitation and also confiscated his international passport.
The lawyers stated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had earlier issued an invitation to El-Rufai while he was outside the country. They explained that his legal team had formally written to the Commission, confirming his readiness to honour the invitation and appear at the EFCC office by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026.
They described the attempted arrest as unwarranted, illegal, and an abuse of authority, arguing that it ignored their prior communication with the EFCC and the former governor’s expressed willingness to cooperate.
“There was only raw power, unclothed by law,” the statement read.
According to the lawyers, when El-Rufai requested to see the document authorising his arrest, the operatives failed to produce any. They further alleged that his passport was forcibly taken from him, an action they described as unlawful and a breach of his fundamental rights.
The statement also claimed that some Nigerians present at the airport protested the action, insisting that the former governor could only be arrested through lawful procedures.
El-Rufai’s counsel said the incident violated several provisions of the 1999 Constitution, including the rights to personal liberty, fair hearing, dignity of the human person, freedom of movement, and the right to own property.
They maintained that no security agency has the authority to arrest or detain any citizen without due process and accused the operatives involved of acting outside the boundaries of the law.
Despite what they described as prior intelligence about plans to arrest him, the lawyers said El-Rufai still returned to the country after medical treatment abroad, reaffirming his commitment to submit himself to any legitimate investigation.
They demanded the immediate return of his passport, an end to what they described as unlawful efforts to detain him, and a formal apology from the agencies involved.
The lawyers also insisted that El-Rufai has no intention of evading the law.
“MALAM NASIR AHMAD EL RUFAI WILL NEVER TAKE THE COWARDLY ROUTE OF RUNNING AWAY FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT.”
“HE WILL HONOUR, WITHOUT PRECONDITIONS, ALL LEGITIMATE LAW ENFORCEMENT SUMMONS.”
They concluded by stating that legal action would be initiated against all individuals and agencies responsible for the incident, noting that the matter would be pursued in court to ensure accountability and protect the rule of law.
