Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju has ridiculed former Kaduna State governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai over claims that the Federal Government is planning to arrest him immediately after his return to Nigeria.
El-Rufai, who is recently just arrived Nigeria had made the allegation while reportedly abroad, in a two-page memo titled “Confidential Briefing Memo” dated February 10, 2026, with the subject line “Concerns Regarding Anticipated Politically Motivated Detention on Return to Nigeria.”
The memo alleged that he and his associates have been under continuous pressure from security and anti-corruption agencies since he withdrew from the Tinubu administration and left the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in August 2023.
He said, “Since formally withdrawing my earlier acceptance to serve in the Tinubu administration in August 2023 and subsequently resigning from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), my close allies and I have been subjected to repeated investigations by security and anti-corruption agencies.”
El-Rufai further claimed that some of his former aides have been unlawfully detained, listing their alleged periods in custody.
Officials who served in my administration and business persons alleged to be associated with me have been unlawfully detained without charge for extended periods, including my Chief of Staff (50 days), a Senior Adviser (28 days), a commissioner (24 days), and a CEO (over 70 days and still detained). They are then arraigned on phantom charges, with judges influenced to deny bail or impose stringent conditions,” he said.
He also referenced a past legal battle during the Yar’Adua/Jonathan era, saying he was previously cleared of corruption allegations after a lengthy probe.
“A similar attempt at persecution by the Yar’Adua/Jonathan administration via the EFCC (2010-2013) failed. I was discharged and acquitted of a spurious charge of ‘abuse of office’ related to my approval of a single plot of land for a family member among 27,000 applications I approved as FCT Minister—a power the court affirmed,” El-Rufai said.
He claimed that despite years of investigation, no evidence has been presented against him and no charges have been filed.
“Despite years of intense, multi-agency investigation, no credible evidence has been presented against me, and no charges have been filed,” he added.
El-Rufai also alleged that there is a new plan to arrest him once he returns, saying it would violate constitutional rights and international obligations.
“Credible information now establishes the certainty of arrest and detention without basis upon my imminent return to Nigeria, inconsistent with constitutional safeguards and international obligations,” he wrote.
He also accused “sponsored media publications” of tarnishing his reputation and criticised what he described as selective prosecution of opposition figures.
“Multiple investigations have yielded no credible formal accusation,” he said.
“Sponsored media publications deploy innuendo and falsehood to tarnish my reputation.”
“No formal queries or invitations were issued prior to my departure for vacation in November 2025.”
“There is a history of selective prosecution of opposition figures.”
“Judicial rulings granting relief in similar cases are routinely ignored by the ruling party and its officials.”
The memo came before accusation by El-Rufai’s spokesperson, Muyiwa Adekeye, who claimed security agents tried to arrest the former governor at an airport upon his return from Cairo.
Adekeye alleged that security operatives approached El-Rufai after landing and demanded that he follow them into custody. He said the former governor refused because no warrant or formal invitation was presented.
He also alleged that the agents seized El-Rufai’s international passport from one of his aides.
In a statement, Adekeye said: “Security agents today attempted to arrest Malam Nasir elrufai as he arrived on a flight from Cairo.
“Malam El-Rufai declined to follow them without a formal Invitation. They however snatched his passport from an aide.”
Reacting to the arrest claim, Deji Adeyanju accused El-Rufai of hypocrisy, saying the former governor is now portraying himself as a victim despite a record of suppressing critics.
“El-Rufai said they are planning to arrest him soon. El-Rufai arrested everyone who criticised him in kaduna.” Adeyanju said.
He went on to reference a still-unresolved case involving one of El-Rufai’s critics, Dadiyata, who was allegedly abducted in front of his wife and daughter and has remained missing.
“His critic Dadiyata who was abducted in front of his wife and daughter disappeared till today without trace.” Adeyanju said.
He concluded by highlighting the irony of the situation, adding: “The oppressors of yesterday are now comrades.”
