Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has raised alarm over what he described as a fresh plot to implicate him in criminal activities.
Mr El-Rufai alleged that the move is part of a coordinated effort to tarnish his reputation and keep him in prolonged detention.
The claim was contained in a statement issued by his media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, who also disclosed that the former governor is considering legal action against The Nation newspaper over a recent publication.
He recalled an incident on February 12, 2026, when he was allegedly targeted for arrest upon arrival at the Abuja airport from Cairo, describing it as an early indication of the challenges he now faces.
Mr El-Rufai further stated that he honoured an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on February 16, after which he was detained and subsequently transferred to the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, on February 18.
According to the statement, the latest concern stems from a report published in the April 18 edition of The Nation, titled “El-Rufai’s trial: Gunmen invade principal witness’s home.”
The report allegedly cited one Mohammed Umar Karage, a witness in an ongoing case at the Kaduna State High Court, who claimed that armed men had invaded his residence.
While acknowledging the civic responsibility of citizens to report crimes, Mr El-Rufai accused the newspaper of publishing what he described as “false imputations” and insinuations linking him to the incident.
The publication quoted the witness as suggesting the attack might be connected to his role in the trial and could be an attempt to silence him, drawing parallels with the controversial disappearance of Kaduna-based activist, Abubakar Idris Dadiyata.
Mr El-Rufai’s camp rejected the claims, arguing that the report was deliberately framed to damage his image, undermine his pending bail application, and implicate him in serious offences.
“Any objective reader would recognise the clear intent behind these statements: to tarnish his reputation and justify his continued detention,” the statement said.
Maintaining his innocence, the former governor described himself as a law-abiding citizen with no connection to the alleged incident.
He added that his legal team has been instructed to initiate defamation proceedings against the newspaper.
The statement further alleged that since 2023, Mr El-Rufai has been subjected to a sustained campaign of “innuendos and vilification,” despite what it described as his record of public service and contributions to national development.
It warned against the misuse of legal processes, stressing that the rule of law must not be turned into a tool of oppression.
“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.
