2027 Election: The Unfolding Legal Battle of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai
Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, a former leading member of the All Progressive Congress but now a frontline leader of the opposition to the Tinubu-led government raised the alarm over possible politically motivated witch-hunt which has led to his arrest and detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Prior to this, As the former governor of Kaduna state, the former capital of the defunct Northern Region, Mallam El-Rufai emerged as powerful and influential political figure flying on the wings of the phenomenally popular Muhammadu Buhari as his political son.
In the wake of the 2023 election, El-Rufai played a central role in the emergence of President Ahmed Tinubu as the flag bearer of the APC. However, things started falling apart between him and President Tinubu when he was dramatically dropped from the ministerial list ‘’citing security reasons’’. Ever since, there has been various political banters between the camp of the former governor of Kaduna and President Tinubu.
In a letter dated February 10, 2026 under “Confidential Briefing Memo” with the subject. ‘Concerns Regarding Anticipated Politically Motivated Detention on Return to Nigeria.’ El-Rufai alleged that plans had been concluded to arrest and detain him on unfounded allegations.
He stated: “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. “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.”
Mallam Nasir, as he is fondly called is arguably the leading figure from the North that is spearheading the African Democratic Congress (a party that includes several political wigs like Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi amongst others).
In 2024, the Kaduna assembly indicted el-Rufai over the alleged diversion of N423 billion in public funds and money laundering and demanded that he be investigated by anti-graft agencies.
El-Rufai however stated his position saying: “I do not seek immunity from lawful investigation or prosecution. I seek only: compliance with constitutional due process. That any arrest be based on a disclosed offence and effected pursuant to a warrant prompt publication of any charge and immediate arraignment; unhindered access to counsel and transparent court proceedings.”
Consequently, Last Thursday, security operatives attempted to arrest el-Rufai at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, when he touched down from Cairo, El-rufai alleged that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission had requested the Department of State Services to arrest him, acting on instructions from the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Following this event, El-rufai alleged during an interview on Prime Time on Saturday that “someone wiretapped” Ribadu’s phone, giving him access to listen to the NSA directing security operatives to effect his arrest which led to a new legal implication.
On Monday, February 16, the DSS filed a three-count charge against el-Rufai for allegedly intercepting the NSA’s telephone conversation. Also, the former governor presented himself at the EFCC headquarters following an invitation regarding alleged financial improprieties during his tenure as governor of Kaduna state between 2015 and 2023.
The situation climaxed on February 18 after spending two nights in EFCC detention and was reportedly granted administrative bail, the ICPC spokesperson, J. Okor Odey confirmed his re-arrest. He stated that El-rufai was now in their custody confirming that the detention is “in connection with investigation.”
As the situation continues to evolve, further legal proceedings and official statements are expected.
