Security agents attempted to arrest Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Thursday, forcefully seizing his international passport in the process.
In a statement after the incident, Ubong Esop Akpan, the ex-governor counsel, alleged that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) moved to arrest El-Rufai shortly after he arrived on Egypt Air flight MS 877 from Cairo.
The lawyer described the development as “a flagrant violation of constitutional rights, executive overreach, and a deliberate disregard for the rule of law.”
According to the statement, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had earlier issued an invitation to El-Rufai while he was outside the country, a move the legal team said was impractical.
“The invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was delivered to Malam El-Rufai’s residence while he was already abroad, rendering it inherently illogical and impractical to demand immediate attendance,” the statement read.
Akpan said the legal team had formally communicated with the EFCC since December 2025, assuring the commission that El-Rufai would honour the invitation upon his return. He added that the commission was notified that the former governor would voluntarily appear at its office by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026.
“Resorting to arrest despite this clear commitment exemplifies arbitrary conduct and undermines procedural integrity,” he said.
The statement further alleged that security operatives attempted to arrest El-Rufai without presenting a warrant or formal letter of invitation.
“When he calmly demanded to see the letter of invitation, a basic entitlement of any citizen facing state action, none could be produced. No document, no signed directive, no lawful process. There was only raw power, unclothed by law,” the lawyer stated.
Akpan also accused operatives of seizing El-Rufai’s international passport during the encounter.
“In the same unlawful manner, operatives physically snatched his international passport. This act is nothing short of stealing, the unlawful taking of private property by agents of the state acting without colour of authority,” the statement said.
The lawyer claimed that bystanders at the airport protested the attempted arrest, insisting that due process be followed.
“Ordinary Nigerians present at the airport… insisted loudly that he could only be arrested upon a legitimate process,” he said, adding that it was “shameful and instructive” that citizens had to remind security agents of constitutional provisions.
Citing Sections 34, 35, 36, 41 and 44 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the legal team argued that the attempted arrest infringed on El-Rufai’s rights to personal liberty, fair hearing, dignity, freedom of movement and property.
“There exists no justifiable basis for this attempted arrest or the accompanying mistreatment,” the statement added.
The lawyer 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.”
“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 said.
Akpan said legal action would be pursued against all persons and agencies involved in the incident, noting that the judiciary remains “the ultimate arbiter.”
As of press time, neither the EFCC nor the DSS had issued an official response to the allegations.
