Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has alleged that there are plans to arrest his elder brother, Bashir El-Rufai, in what he believes is an attempt to force him into negotiations with authorities.
Speaking in Abuja during the third-day Firdau prayer for their late mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, the former governor explained why his brother was absent from both the funeral and prayer session.
According to him, the family received intelligence suggesting Bashir could be detained if he returned to Nigeria, prompting a decision for him to remain in Cairo.
“They believe if they get him, I will negotiate—that’s why we asked him to stay back,” El-Rufai said.
The development comes amid El-Rufai’s ongoing legal and investigative battles with Nigerian anti-graft agencies.
In February 2026, he was invited and later detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over corruption allegations tied to his time in office, before being granted bail two days later.
Shortly after, he was taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission in connection with a separate probe.
El-Rufai has also alleged attempts by security operatives to detain him at an Abuja airport upon his return from Egypt—claims the Department of State Services has downplayed, stating it acted only on a request to retrieve his passport.
The ICPC has since searched his residence and filed multiple charges against him, including alleged money laundering and abuse of office. His legal team has criticised the actions, calling them unlawful.
He was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Kaduna, which adjourned his bail hearing to March 31, 2026. El-Rufai remains in ICPC custody pending the outcome of the proceedings.
