The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is facing a potential lawsuit following an attempted arrest of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, at Abuja airport.
Legal counsel to El-Rufai, Ubong Esop Akpan of Ubong Akpan Chambers, condemned the move, describing it as unconstitutional and a violation of his client’s rights.
In a statement, the lawyer said the arrest attempt occurred as El-Rufai returned to Nigeria from Cairo, Egypt, and called it “executive overreach and deliberate disregard for the rule of law.”
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He stressed that the former governor has always been willing to cooperate with law enforcement and would never flee from legitimate summons.
The statement further noted that the EFCC’s invitation had been delivered to El-Rufai while he was abroad, making immediate compliance impossible.
“Such an approach defies reason, presuming instantaneous compliance from an individual outside the jurisdiction, without regard for legal fairness,” the lawyers said.
El-Rufai’s legal team has vowed to pursue all available legal channels to challenge the attempted arrest, insisting that the judiciary remains the ultimate arbiter.
The lawyers emphasized that action would be taken against any persons or agencies responsible for what they described as an “illegal and unconstitutional” act.
The incident has drawn widespread attention, with supporters of El-Rufai expressing concern over the handling of the case by the EFCC and security agencies.
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