Lawyer condemns alleged Attempted arrest of El-Rufai at Abuja Airport, passport seizure

The legal Counsel to former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has condemned an “unlawful attempt” by security operatives to arrest his client upon arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Thursday.

In a statement issued in Abuja on February 12, 2026, and signed by Ubong Esop Akpan of The Chambers of Ubong Akpan, counsel to El-Rufai, the legal team alleged that security operatives attempted to arrest the former governor shortly after he arrived in the country aboard Egypt Air flight MS 877 from Cairo.

Akpan described the action as “a flagrant violation of constitutional rights, executive overreach, and a deliberate disregard for the rule of law.”

According to the statement, an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had earlier been delivered to El-Rufai’s residence while he was already outside the country.

The counsel argued that it was “inherently illogical and impractical to demand immediate attendance” from someone who was abroad at the time.

The legal team said it had formally communicated with the EFCC on El-Rufai’s behalf since December 2025, assuring the commission of his willingness to comply upon his return to Nigeria.

It further stated that the EFCC was explicitly notified that El-Rufai would voluntarily appear at its office by 10:00 a.m on Monday, February 16, 2026, to respond to the invitation.

“Resorting to arrest despite this clear commitment exemplifies arbitrary conduct and undermines procedural integrity,” the statement read.

The Counsel alleged that upon his arrival in Abuja, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) moved to arrest El-Rufai without presenting a warrant or any formal letter of invitation. It claimed that when he demanded to see the letter of invitation, none was produced.

“There was no document, no signed directive, no lawful process,” the statement claimed, adding that operatives allegedly seized his international passport in the process. The action was described as “the unlawful taking of private property by agents of the state acting without colour of authority.”

The statement further claimed that some Nigerians present at the airport intervened, insisting that any arrest must follow legitimate legal process. It described their reaction as a demonstration of citizens’ commitment to the rule of law.

Akpan maintained that no government agency has the authority to detain any citizen without due process, stressing that all public institutions are bound by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

The statement cited several constitutional provisions it said were infringed upon, including Section 35 on the right to personal liberty; Section 36 on the right to fair hearing; Section 34 on the right to dignity of the human person; Section 41 on freedom of movement; and Section 44 on the right to own property.

The Counsel insisted that there was no justifiable basis for the attempted arrest or the alleged mistreatment, adding that despite prior intelligence of a possible arrest, El-Rufai returned to Nigeria after medical treatment and rest abroad and had publicly affirmed his readiness to honour any legitimate inquiry.

Describing the airport interception as “premeditated” and “an abuse of state power,” the legal team demanded the immediate cessation of the unlawful efforts to detain the former governor, the return of his passport, and a formal apology.

“Let us make it publicly and abundantly clear: 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,” the statement declared.

The counsel also disclosed plans to institute legal action against all persons and agencies allegedly responsible for the incident, stating that the judiciary remains the ultimate arbiter and that redress would be sought through all available legal channels.