A dramatic scene unfolded at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Thursday as security operatives allegedly moved to arrest former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, upon his arrival from Cairo.
The claim was contained in a statement issued in Abuja on February 12, 2026, by Ubong Esop Akpan of The Chambers of Ubong Akpan, counsel to the former governor.
In the statement titled “Statement on the Unlawful Attempted Arrest of Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai,” Akpan said his client was confronted by operatives of the Department of State Services shortly after disembarking from Egypt Air flight MS 877.
He described the action as “a flagrant violation of constitutional rights, executive overreach, and a deliberate disregard for the rule of law.”
Akpan disclosed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had earlier sent an invitation to El-Rufai’s residence while he was out of the country, calling for his appearance over what he termed “purported allegations.” He said his office had written to the anti-graft agency since December 2025, informing it that the former governor would respond on his return.
He added that the commission was formally notified on Wednesday that El-Rufai would “voluntarily appear at their office by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026,” to address the invitation.
The lawyer faulted the move to arrest his client at the airport despite the prior communication, describing it as arbitrary.
According to him, the operatives did not present any warrant or letter of invitation when approached. He stated that when El-Rufai requested to see the letter, none was shown.
“There was only raw power, unclothed by law,” Akpan said.
He also alleged that the operatives seized the former governor’s international passport, describing the action as “nothing short of stealing — the unlawful taking of private property by agents of the state acting without colour of authority.”
Akpan claimed that some travellers at the airport protested the move and insisted that any arrest must follow due process.
The statement maintained that no agency has the authority to detain any citizen outside laid-down legal procedures, citing constitutional safeguards on personal liberty, fair hearing, dignity of the human person, freedom of movement and right to property.
“There exists no justifiable basis for this attempted arrest or the accompanying mistreatment,” the lawyer said, adding that his client returned to Nigeria after medical treatment abroad despite receiving information about plans to arrest him.
He demanded “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 declared, “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 lawyer said legal steps would be taken against those involved, noting that the courts remain the avenue for redress.
