Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, will report to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, February 16, 2026, his lawyers have said, following an alleged attempt by security operatives to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The development has drawn public attention and sparked fresh debate over due process, the powers of security agencies, and the rights of citizens under the Nigerian Constitution.
In a statement issued on Thursday by Ubong Esop Akpan of the Chambers of Ubong Akpan, counsel to the former governor strongly condemned what he described as an unlawful attempt to arrest his client upon arrival in Abuja from Cairo, Egypt.
According to the statement, El-Rufai arrived in Nigeria on Egypt Air flight MS 877 on Thursday afternoon after spending some time abroad for medical treatment and rest. However, shortly after landing at the airport, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) allegedly intercepted him.
The lawyers claimed that the operatives attempted to arrest El-Rufai without presenting any warrant of arrest or formal letter of invitation. They also alleged that his international passport was seized during the encounter.
The statement described the action as a clear violation of constitutional rights and accused the security operatives of acting outside the law.
The EFCC, Nigeria’s main anti-corruption agency, is responsible for investigating and prosecuting cases related to financial crimes, including fraud and abuse of public office. Former public officials are often invited by the commission to answer questions regarding their time in office.
According to El-Rufai’s legal team, an invitation from the EFCC was delivered to his residence in December 2025 while he was already outside the country. The lawyers argued that it was not reasonable to expect him to respond immediately since he was abroad at the time.
They stated that they formally wrote to the EFCC on his behalf, assuring the commission that he would honour the invitation upon his return to Nigeria. The statement further said that the EFCC was notified on Wednesday that El-Rufai would voluntarily appear at its office by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026.
His counsel maintained that, despite this clear commitment, security operatives moved to arrest him at the airport.
In the statement, the lawyers cited several sections of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which they said were breached during the attempted arrest.
They referred to Section 35, which guarantees the right to personal liberty and states that arrests must follow lawful procedures. They also cited Section 36 on the right to fair hearing, Section 34 on the dignity of the human person, and Section 41 on freedom of movement.
The legal team argued that no warrant or formal document was presented at the airport. According to them, when El-Rufai calmly asked to see the letter of invitation or any legal document authorising his arrest, none was produced.
“There was only raw power, unclothed by law,” the statement read.
They also described the alleged seizure of his passport as unlawful, calling it “the unlawful taking of private property by agents of the state acting without colour of authority.”
As of the time of filing this report, the DSS had not issued an official statement on the claims made by the former governor’s lawyers.
The statement further claimed that some Nigerians present at the airport protested the attempted arrest. According to the lawyers, bystanders questioned the actions of the security operatives and insisted that due process must be followed.
While details of the confrontation remain unclear, the incident has quickly become a topic of discussion on social media and among political observers.
El-Rufai, a key political figure in Nigeria, served as governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023. Before becoming governor, he held several public offices, including Minister of the Federal Capital Territory from 2003 to 2007. He has remained active in national politics even after leaving office.
During his time as governor, El-Rufai was known for controversial policies and strong views on governance, security, and reforms. His administration carried out changes in education, urban development, and civil service reforms, which drew both praise and criticism.
Despite the incident at the airport, El-Rufai’s legal team stressed that he has no intention of evading law enforcement.
The statement made it “publicly and abundantly clear” that he would not run away from any legitimate investigation. It added that he would honour all lawful summons without preconditions.
The lawyers also demanded the immediate return of his passport and called for a formal apology for what they described as an infringement on his rights and dignity.
They warned that legal action would be taken against any individual or agency found responsible for what they termed unconstitutional conduct.
“The judiciary remains the ultimate arbiter,” the statement said, adding that they would seek redress through all available legal channels.
The incident comes at a time when questions about the balance between law enforcement powers and citizens’ rights remain sensitive in Nigeria. Human rights groups have often called on security agencies to strictly follow due process when carrying out arrests or investigations.
For now, attention will be on Monday’s scheduled appearance at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja. Observers say the development may clarify the issues under investigation and determine the next steps.
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