El-Rufai’s lawyers condemn ‘unlawful’ airport arrest, demand return of seized passport

The legal team representing former Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, on Thursday condemned what they described as an unlawful attempt by security operatives to detain their client at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and called for the immediate return of his international passport.

In a statement issued by Ubong Esop Akpan of The Chambers of Ubong Akpan, counsel to El-Rufai said the incident occurred shortly after the former governor arrived on Egypt Air flight MS 877 from Cairo. The statement alleged that operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) moved to arrest El-Rufai without presenting a warrant, formal invitation, or any lawful document authorising the action.

“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 statement read. “In the same unlawful manner, operatives physically snatched his international passport.”

The statement said that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had previously sent an invitation to El-Rufai’s residence while he was abroad. The lawyers said they had been in communication with the EFCC since December 2025 and had formally informed the commission that El-Rufai would appear voluntarily at its office at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026.

“This premeditated interception at the airport exemplifies lawlessness and an abuse of state power,” the statement added.

Citing constitutional protections, the legal team said the attempted arrest violated key provisions, including the right to personal liberty, fair hearing, dignity of the human person, freedom of movement, and the right to own property.

The lawyers also praised bystanders at the airport who protested the attempted arrest, calling their actions a “testament to the citizenry’s unyielding commitment to the rule of law.”

The statement concluded with a firm warning: “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. Legal action will be pursued against all persons and agencies responsible for this unconstitutional conduct to uphold accountability and deter future abuses.”