Airport arrest bid: El-Rufai’s legal team vows court action against EFCC

FRESH controversy has trailed an alleged attempt by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to detain former Kaduna State governor, Mr Nasir El-Rufai, shortly after he landed in Abuja from Cairo.

His lawyers say the move, which occurred at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, amounted to a breach of the Constitution and an overreach of executive authority.

Mr Akpan said the legal team has resolved to challenge the action in court, warning that both the EFCC and any other agency involved would be held accountable.

Speaking on behalf of the legal team, Mr Ubong Esop Akpan of Ubong Akpan Chambers said the former governor arrived in Nigeria on Egypt Air flight MS 877 when security operatives moved to arrest him.

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According to him, Mr El-Rufai has never tried to evade the law and has no intention of doing so, stressing that the former governor is willing to respond to any lawful request from security agencies.

However, he said such engagement must follow due process and not be driven by intimidation or ambush tactics.

The lawyer disclosed that the EFCC had earlier sent an invitation to El-Rufai’s residence at a time he was already outside Nigeria, making it impossible for him to comply immediately, Daily Post reported.

He argued that demanding instant attendance from someone who is abroad shows a lack of basic legal fairness and ignores logistical reality.

The legal team further accused the authorities of turning law enforcement into a tool of harassment, adding that Nigeria must move away from practices that undermine the rule of law.

“El-Rufai will not run from justice,” Akpan said, adding that the courts would be approached to seek redress and prevent a repeat of what he described as an illegal act.

They concluded that only the judiciary has the authority to determine such matters, warning that unchecked executive actions threaten constitutional democracy.