Counsel to former Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El Rufai, has condemned what he described as an unlawful attempted arrest of his client by security operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Ubong Esop Akpan of the Chambers of Ubong Akpan, alleged that security operatives moved to arrest El Rufai upon his arrival from Cairo aboard Egypt Air flight MS 877.
Akpan stated, “As counsel to Malam Nasir El-Rufai, we unequivocally condemn the attempted illegal arrest of our client by security operatives this afternoon upon his arrival in Abuja via Egypt Air flight MS 877 from Cairo. This is a flagrant violation of constitutional rights, executive overreach, and a deliberate disregard for the rule of law.”
The lawyer said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had earlier delivered an invitation to El Rufai’s residence while he was abroad. He described the action as impractical and said the legal team had communicated with the commission since December 2025, assuring compliance upon his return.
According to him, the EFCC was formally notified that El Rufai would “voluntarily appear at their office by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026,” to address the allegations.
He alleged that despite this commitment, operatives of the Department of State Services attempted to arrest his client at the airport without presenting a warrant or formal invitation.
“Upon his arrival, security operatives from the Department of State Services moved to arrest Malam El-Rufai without presenting any warrant or formal invitation,” the statement read.
“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.”
Akpan further alleged that operatives seized El Rufai’s international passport, describing the action as unlawful.
“This act is nothing short of stealing — the unlawful taking of private property by agents of the state acting without colour of authority,” he said.
The counsel cited several constitutional provisions he claimed were breached, including Section 35 on personal liberty, Section 36 on fair hearing, Section 34 on dignity of the human person, Section 41 on freedom of movement, and Section 44 on the right to own property.
He said, “No government agency possesses unfettered authority to detain citizens without due process. All public institutions and officials are bound by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which mandates adherence to legal protocols.”
Akpan 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.”
He also declared:
“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 lawyer said legal action would be pursued against those responsible, adding that the judiciary remained “the ultimate arbiter” in the matter.
