Counsel Condemns Alleged Illegal Try To Arrest El Rufai At Abuja Airport
Counsel to former Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El Rufai, has condemned what he described as an illegal tried arrest of his shopper by safety operatives on the Nnamdi Azikiwe Worldwide Airport, Abuja.
In a press release issued on Thursday, Ubong Esop Akpan of the Chambers of Ubong Akpan, alleged that safety operatives moved to arrest El Rufai upon his arrival from Cairo aboard Egypt Air flight MS 877.
Akpan acknowledged, “As counsel to Malam Nasir El-Rufai, we unequivocally condemn the tried unlawful arrest of our shopper by safety operatives this afternoon upon his arrival in Abuja by way of Egypt Air flight MS 877 from Cairo. It is a flagrant violation of constitutional rights, govt overreach, and a deliberate disregard for the rule of regulation.”
The lawyer stated the {Economic} and {Financial} Crimes Fee had earlier delivered an invite to El Rufai’s residence whereas he was overseas. He described the motion as impractical and stated the authorized workforce had communicated with the fee since December 2025, assuring compliance upon his return.
Based on him, the EFCC was formally notified that El Rufai would “voluntarily seem at their workplace by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026,” to handle the allegations.
He alleged that regardless of this dedication, operatives of the Division of State Companies tried to arrest his shopper on the airport with out presenting a warrant or formal invitation.
“Upon his arrival, safety operatives from the Division of State Companies moved to arrest Malam El-Rufai with out presenting any warrant or formal invitation,” the assertion learn.
“When he calmly demanded to see the a call for participation — a fundamental entitlement of any citizen going through state motion — none might be produced. No doc, no signed directive, no lawful course of.”
Akpan additional alleged that operatives seized El Rufai’s worldwide passport, describing the motion as illegal.
“This act is nothing wanting stealing — the illegal taking of personal property by brokers of the state appearing with out color of authority,” he stated.
The counsel cited a number of constitutional provisions he claimed had been breached, together with Part 35 on private liberty, Part 36 on truthful listening to, Part 34 on dignity of the human individual, Part 41 on freedom of motion, and Part 44 on the suitable to personal property.
He stated, “No authorities company possesses unfettered authority to detain residents with out due course of. All public establishments and officers are certain by the Structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which mandates adherence to authorized protocols.”
Akpan demanded “the quick and unconditional cessation of all illegal efforts to detain Malam El-Rufai, the quick return of his stolen passport, and a proper apology for this egregious infringement on his dignity and rights.”
He additionally 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 stated authorized motion can be pursued in opposition to these accountable, including that the judiciary remained “the final word arbiter” within the matter.
Times Nigeria