Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has raised the alarm over what he described as a coordinated attempt to keep him in prolonged detention, alleging a pattern of actions aimed at undermining his rights and reputation.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, the ex-governor pointed to an alleged attempt to arrest him at the Abuja airport upon his return from Cairo on February 12, 2026, as the beginning of what he termed a troubling sequence of events.
The statement claimed that the ultimate objective of the alleged moves was to secure his indefinite detention through questionable means, warning that such actions violate the principles of justice and fairness.
El-Rufai maintained that the rule of law must not be weaponised to oppress citizens, insisting that legal processes should protect, rather than erode, fundamental rights.
He has been in custody since February 16, 2026, after honouring an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, before being transferred to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission two days later. He is currently facing trial in separate cases before two high courts.
The statement also faulted a media report alleging that gunmen attacked the residence of a key witness in one of the cases, describing the publication as containing insinuations designed to link El-Rufai to the incident.
According to the former governor, the report was a calculated attempt to tarnish his image, influence ongoing judicial proceedings, and weaken his pending bail application at the Kaduna State High Court.
He denied any connection to the alleged attack and has directed his legal team to initiate defamation proceedings against those responsible for the publication
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The statement further alleged that since 2023, El-Rufai has been subjected to sustained negative campaigns, despite what it described as his record of public service and contributions to national development.
