Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has claimed there is a renewed attempt to frame him in criminal matters, warning of what he described as a coordinated effort to damage his reputation and keep him in detention.
In a statement released on Sunday by his media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai said recent events point to a deliberate campaign aimed at discrediting him while undermining his legal rights.
He recounted how, on February 12, 2026, he was allegedly marked for arrest upon arriving at Abuja Airport from Cairo, describing the incident as part of a broader pattern of intimidation.
According to him, he later honoured an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on February 16, after which he was detained and subsequently transferred to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission two days later.
Tensions heightened following a report claiming that a key witness in an ongoing case before the Kaduna State High Court was attacked, an allegation his camp insists is being wrongly linked to him.
His team rejected the claim, describing it as false and malicious, and accused those behind it of trying to influence public perception and ongoing legal proceedings.
“Any objective reader would recognise the intent to tarnish his image and justify continued detention.”
Maintaining his innocence, El-Rufai said he has no involvement in the alleged incident and disclosed that his legal team has been instructed to file a defamation suit against the publication responsible.
The statement also alleged that he has been subjected to sustained political and media pressure since 2023, despite his record in public service.
It further cautioned against turning legal processes into tools of oppression, stressing that his constitutional rights must be respected.
“El-Rufai is entitled to full due process as guaranteed to every citizen under the law, and any continued disregard for his rights must stop immediately.”
