Nasiru El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State and a prominent figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), appeared at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja on Monday. He was accompanied by a large crowd of supporters as he responded to the Commission’s summons regarding allegations of corruption during his tenure.
This appearance comes in the wake of a dramatic incident at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport last week, where El-Rufai reportedly resisted arrest. In subsequent interviews, he accused National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu of orchestrating the attempted arrest.
El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Esop Akpan, explained that the EFCC’s invitation arrived while the former governor was out of the country. Akpan criticized the expectation of immediate compliance, calling it inherently illogical and impractical, and argued that such demands disregard procedural fairness.
The invitation from the EFCC was delivered to Malam El-Rufai’s residence while he was already abroad, making it unreasonable to expect immediate attendance to address these allegations, Akpan stated. “This presumes instant compliance from someone outside the jurisdiction without consideration for logistical and legal realities.
Akpan added that El-Rufai had been in communication with the EFCC since December 2025, assuring authorities of his willingness to cooperate upon his return. We clearly informed the EFCC that he would voluntarily present himself at their office by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026, specifying both time and place, Akpan said. Attempting an arrest despite this assurance reflects arbitrary conduct and undermines procedural integrity.
He further insisted there was no legal justification for the attempted arrest, describing it as a violation of constitutional rights. Akpan called for an end to all efforts to detain El-Rufai, the return of his passport, and a formal apology for the alleged infringement of his rights.
