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As Lawyers Recounts Ordeal with EFCC
- Safiu Kehinde
Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has expressed his displeasure with his attempted arrest by security agents at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
NPO earlier Reported that the security agents confirmed to be officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had approached the ex- Kaduna governor shortly after his arrival from Cairo, Egypt, on Thursday.
Videos shared on X showed EFCC officials engaging El-Rufai who resisted the arrest as he charged the commission to write a letter of invite to him rather than picking him up at the airport.
His international passport was allegedly snatched from his aide by one of the security agents during the exchange.
The drama would attract a crowd of the ex-governor’s supporters who restrained the security operatives from arresting him.
Reacting to development in a statement issued on his official X handle, El-Rufai harped on the need for Nigeria to outgrow what he labelled an executive overreach and deliberated disregard for the rule of law.
He disclosed that his lawyers have issued a statement condemning the incident.
“My lawyers have issued a statement that condemns the illegal attempt to arrest me today at the Abuja airport upon my arrival from Cairo.
“Our country must outgrow executive overreach and deliberate disregard for the rule of law.” The former Kaduna governor said.
Meanwhile, as captured in the statement issued by the Chambers of Ubong Akpan, El-Rufai’s counsel condemned the attempted arrest, describing it as a flagrant violation of constitutional rights, executive overreach, and a deliberate disregard for the rule of law.
The counsel held that the attempted arrest directly infringed upon key constitutional provisions guaranteeing fundamental freedoms which include Section 35 (Right to Personal Liberty), Section 36 (Right to fair hearing), Section 34 (Right to Dignity of Human Person), Section 41 (Right to Freedom of Movement), and Section 44 (Right to Own Property).
Ubong however recounted how the EFCC had issued an invitation letter to El-Rufai while he was abroad.
The legal counsel claimed to have informed the anti-graft agency of the former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister’s readiness to honour the invitation with a date already fixed for his appearance.
“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 to answer purported allegations.
“Such an approach defies reason, as it presumes instantaneous compliance from an individual outside the jurisdiction, without regard for logistical realities or legal fairness.
“In response, we formally communicated with the EFCC on his behalf since December 2025, assuring compliance upon his return.
“Yesterday, we explicitly notified them that he would voluntarily appear at their office by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026, specifying the precise place and time for addressing the invitation.
“Resorting to arrest despite this clear commitment exemplifies arbitrary conduct and undermines procedural integrity.” The statement partly read.
Ubong recounted the attempted arrest, confirming that the El-Rufai was approached by operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) and not the EFCC.
He labelled the seizure of the ex-Kaduna governor’s international passport as an act of theft while lauding the action of the crowd at the airport over the incident.
“Upon his arrival, security operatives from the Department of State Services moved to arrest Malam El-Rufai without presenting any warrant or formal 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. 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.
“Ordinary Nigerians present at the airport, incensed by this open display of oppression, surrounded the scene and insisted loudly that he could only be arrested upon a legitimate process.
“Their voices, defiant and unbowed, were a testament to the citizenry’s unyielding commitment to the rule of law, even as state agents acted in flagrant disregard of it.
“That citizens had to remind security operatives of the Constitution is both shameful and instructive.
“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.” He wrote.
The counsel demanded the immediate and unconditional cessation of all unlawful efforts to detain El-Rufai and the immediate return of his stolen passport.
He also demanded a formal apology for the alleged infringement on his dignity and rights.
Ubong affirmed that El-Rufai will honour the EFCC’s invitation as agreed.
He however vowed legal actions against all persons and agencies responsible for the unconstitutional conduct to uphold accountability and deter future abuses.