Counsel to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has accused security operatives of attempting to arrest his client without due process shortly after he arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Thursday.
In a statement signed by Ubong Akpan, the lawyer claimed that the operatives moved against El-Rufai after he landed from Cairo aboard Egypt Air flight MS 877, describing the action as unlawful and a violation of his constitutional rights.
Akpan stated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had earlier sent an invitation to El-Rufai while he was outside the country, a move he described as impractical.
He added that the commission had been informed of El-Rufai’s willingness to honour the invitation upon his return, with a planned appearance scheduled for Monday, February 16, 2026.
The lawyer further alleged that operatives of the Department of State Services attempted to arrest the former governor without presenting any warrant or formal documentation.
He also claimed that El-Rufai’s international passport was seized during the incident, noting that bystanders at the airport intervened and questioned the legality of the action.
Akpan argued that the attempted arrest violated several constitutional provisions, including rights to personal liberty, freedom of movement, dignity and property ownership.
He described the incident as an abuse of state power and called for an immediate halt to any attempt to detain his client.
The legal team demanded the return of El-Rufai’s passport and a formal apology, insisting that the former governor remains ready to respond to any lawful summons from security agencies.
He also disclosed that legal steps would be taken against those allegedly involved in the incident, stressing that the matter would be pursued through appropriate judicial channels.
Security agencies had yet to respond to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.
