El-Rufai alleges fresh plot to frame him, warns of coordinated smear campaign

FORMER Kaduna State Governor, Mr Nasir El-Rufai, has sounded a warning over what he claims is a renewed attempt to frame him in criminal matters, alleging a coordinated scheme aimed at damaging his reputation and prolonging his detention.

In a statement released on Sunday through his media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, the former governor described the situation as a series of ‘malicious orchestrations,’ pointing to recent events he believes reflect a deliberate pattern targeting him.

El-Rufai recalled that as far back as February 12, 2026, he was allegedly marked for arrest upon arriving at Abuja Airport from Cairo, an incident he said foreshadowed the challenges that followed.

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He noted that he later honoured an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16, after which he was detained and subsequently transferred on February 18 to the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The latest development, according to his camp, relates to an April 18 report by The Nation titled ‘El-Rufai’s trial: Gunmen invade principal witness home,’ which cited claims by a witness, Mohammed Umar Karage, that armed men attacked his residence.

While acknowledging that citizens have a responsibility to report criminal incidents, El-Rufai’s camp argued that the newspaper went further by publishing what it described as misleading insinuations linking the alleged attack to him.

The report quoted the witness as suggesting the incident might be tied to his involvement in an ongoing case and could be an attempt to intimidate him, drawing parallels with the disappearance of Kaduna-based activist Abubakar Idris Dadiyata.

Rejecting the claims, El-Rufai’s camp insisted the publication was designed to tarnish his image, weaken his pending bail request, and falsely associate him with serious criminal allegations.

“Any objective reader would recognise the clear intent behind these statements: to tarnish his reputation and justify his continued detention,” the statement said.

Reaffirming his innocence, the former governor maintained that he has no link to the alleged attack and disclosed that his legal team has been directed to pursue defamation action against the newspaper.

The statement further alleged that since 2023, El-Rufai has faced a sustained campaign of ‘innuendos and vilification,’ despite what it described as his record of public service and contributions to national development.

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It also cautioned against the misuse of legal institutions, stressing that due process must be upheld and not weaponised against individuals.

“El-Rufai should be accorded full due process guaranteed by law to every citizen, and the persistent disregard for his rights must cease immediately,” the statement added.