There was tension at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, yesterday, following attempts by security operatives to arrest former Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, upon his arrival from Cairo, Egypt.
According to his media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, el-Rufai declined to accompany the operatives, insisting on a formal invitation.
Reacting to the development, his counsel, Ubong Akpan, condemned what he described as an “unlawful attempted arrest,” alleging that operatives from the Department of State Services, DSS, moved against his client without presenting a warrant or letter of invitation.
Adekeye alleged on social media that the security agents subsequently seized the former governor’s international passport from one of his aides.
“As he arrived, security agents approached him, but Malam el-Rufai declined to follow them without a formal invitation. They, however, snatched his international passport from an aide,” Adekeye stated.
There has been no official confirmation from security authorities regarding the incident, at press time.
The development comes a day after El-Rufai, in an interview with BBC Hausa, said he could be arrested in Nigeria at any time. He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, of pressuring politicians to either align with the party or face political consequences.
El-Rufai also claimed that some of his associates had already been detained. “Four people we worked with in Kaduna have been arrested; so it’s only a matter of time before they come for me too,” he said.
Analysts say the reported airport incident, if confirmed, could escalate concerns over the country’s political climate, particularly amid ongoing realignments ahead of future elections.
However, reacting, El-Rufai maintained that he would only respond to a properly issued invitation.
“Nobody, listen nobody, not even the president will have to tell you I have to do anything. It is a free country. If you have a letter and you want to invite me then send a letter,” he said.
Counsel condemns ‘unlawful attempted arrest
Akpan disclosed that the EFCC, had earlier sent an invitation to El-Rufai while he was abroad, adding that the legal team formally communicated with the commission in December 2025, assuring that the former governor would honour the invitation upon his return.
He further stated that the EFCC was notified that El-Rufai would voluntarily appear at its office by 10a.m.,on February 16, 2026, to respond to the allegations.
“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,” the lawyer said, describing the seizure of the passport as unlawful.
The legal team argued that the attempted arrest violated several constitutional provisions, including the rights to personal liberty, fair hearing, dignity of the human person, freedom of movement and property ownership.
Akpan also demanded the immediate return of the former governor’s passport, a formal apology, and the cessation of what he termed unlawful efforts to detain his client, warning that legal action would be taken against those responsible. Despite the incident, the lawyer maintained that el-Rufai would honour all legitimate law enforcement summons and had no intention of evading investigation.
