Security operatives attempted to arrest former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Thursday without presenting a warrant and forcibly seized his international passport, his lawyer has alleged.
Ubong Akpan, who represents El-Rufai, made the claims in a statement dated February 12, 2026, describing the incident as a brazen violation of the former governor’s constitutional rights.
According to Akpan, the confrontation unfolded shortly after El-Rufai arrived from Cairo, Egypt, aboard Egypt Air flight MS 877.
He said operatives of the Department of State Services approached his client immediately but had nothing to show for the basis of their action.
“Upon his arrival, security operatives moved to arrest Malam El-Rufai without presenting any warrant or letter. When he demanded to see the invitation, none could be produced — no document, no signed directive, no lawful process,” Akpan said.
The lawyer said the situation escalated when the operatives took El-Rufai’s passport by force.
“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,” he said.
The incident reportedly drew a crowd of passengers and airport users who challenged the operatives on the spot.
“Ordinary Nigerians present at the airport, incensed by this display, surrounded the scene and insisted loudly that he could only be arrested upon a legitimate process. That citizens had to remind security operatives of the Constitution is both shameful and instructive,” Akpan said.
The lawyer traced the roots of the confrontation to an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which he said was delivered to El-Rufai’s residence while the former governor was already out of the country.
“The invitation from the EFCC was delivered to Malam El-Rufai’s residence while he was already abroad, rendering it inherently illogical to demand immediate attendance,” he said.
Akpan said his law firm had been communicating with the EFCC since December 2025, assuring the commission that El-Rufai would present himself upon his return.
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He said the EFCC was specifically told that El-Rufai would report to its office on Monday, February 16.
“Yesterday, we explicitly informed them that he would appear at their office by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026. Resorting to arrest despite this clear commitment exemplifies arbitrary conduct and undermines procedural integrity,” he said.
The lawyer revealed that El-Rufai had received intelligence before his trip that security agents were planning to intercept him at the airport but chose to return regardless.
“This premeditated interception at the airport exemplifies lawlessness and an abuse of state power,” the statement read.
Akpan described the entire episode as unconstitutional, saying it violated El-Rufai’s rights to personal liberty, fair hearing, dignity, freedom of movement, and property ownership.
“We unequivocally condemn the attempted illegal arrest of our client by security operatives this afternoon upon his arrival in Abuja.
“This is a flagrant violation of constitutional rights, executive overreach, and a deliberate disregard for the rule of law,” he said.
The lawyer issued three demands: that all attempts to detain El-Rufai cease immediately, that his passport be returned without conditions, and that a formal apology be issued.
“We demand 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,” Akpan said.
He stressed that the former governor was not attempting to flee from any investigation and remained willing to cooperate with legitimate legal processes.
“Let it be publicly 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,” he said.
Akpan warned that his chambers would pursue legal action against all individuals and agencies responsible for the incident.
“Legal action will be pursued against all persons and agencies responsible for this unconstitutional conduct. The judiciary remains the ultimate arbiter, and we shall seek redress through all available legal channels to protect the sanctity of the law,” he said.
Neither the EFCC nor the DSS had officially responded to the allegations at the time this report was published.