Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has alleged a fresh attempt to link him to criminal activities, claiming there is a coordinated effort to damage his reputation and justify his continued detention
In a statement issued on Sunday by his media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai pointed to recent developments as part of what he described as a deliberate campaign to discredit him and undermine his legal rights.
He referenced an incident on February 12, 2026, when he was allegedly marked for arrest upon arriving at Abuja Airport from Cairo, describing it as one of several acts of intimidation against him.
El-Rufai said he later honoured an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on February 16, after which he was detained and subsequently moved to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on February 18.
His camp also reacted to a recent report alleging that a principal witness in an ongoing case at the Kaduna State High Court was attacked, a claim they said was being wrongly tied to him.
Dismissing the allegation as false and malicious, his team insisted the report was aimed at damaging his image and influencing the outcome of the case.
“Any objective reader would recognise the intent to tarnish his image and justify continued detention.”
El-Rufai maintained that he has no connection to the alleged incident and revealed that his lawyers have been directed to pursue defamation action against the publication involved.
The statement further claimed he has faced sustained political and media pressure since 2023, despite what it described as his contributions to public service.
It also warned against the misuse of legal institutions, stressing that the rule of law should not be turned into a tool for oppression.
“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.”
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