*On Monday
Barring unforeseen circumstances, the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai will on Monday in Abuja submit himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), sources close to the politician disclosed on Thursday night.
The decision for the chieftain of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) to submit himself to the anti-graft agency was reportedly taken after his meeting with close friends and top party officials, The Authority gathered.
The politician had early in the week granted an interview to the Hausa service of the BBC, where he expressed concerns that, with four persons who were close to his government already arrested, he could be the next to be arrested.
On Thursday, upon his return from Cairo, Egypt, El-Rufai had a brush with security operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The agents, who, according to the politician’s spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye, attempted to arrest him, eventually seized his international passport.
Meanwhile, El-Rufais’s lawyers have condemned the airport drama questioning why the security agents did not wait for the former Minister of the FCT to return from his foreign trip recalling that the invitation was issued to El-Rufai while he was abroad.
Said the statement: “As counsel to Malam Nasir El-Rufai, we unequivocally condemn the attempted illegal arrest of our client by security operatives this afternoon upon his arrival in Abuja via Egypt Air flight MS 877 from Cairo. This action constitutes a flagrant violation of constitutional rights, executive overreach, and a deliberate disregard for the rule of law.
The invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was delivered to Malam El-Rufai’s residence while he was already abroad, rendering it inherently illogical and impractical to demand immediate attendance to answer purported allegations. Such an approach defies reason, as it presumes instantaneous compliance from an individual outside the jurisdiction, without regard for logistical realities or legal fairness.
“In response, we formally communicated with the EFCC on his behalf since December 2025, assuring compliance upon his return. Yesterday, we explicitly notified them that he would voluntarily appear at their office by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026, specifying the precise place and time for addressing the invitation. Resorting to arrest despite this clear commitment exemplifies arbitrary conduct and undermines procedural integrity”, the lawyers said.
