Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has raised concerns over what he describes as a new attempt to implicate him in criminal activities, alleging a coordinated effort to damage his reputation and prolong his detention.
In a statement issued on Sunday through his media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai pointed to what he called “malicious orchestrations,” citing recent developments he believes follow a troubling pattern.
He referenced an incident on February 12, 2026, when he was reportedly targeted for arrest upon arriving at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport from Cairo, describing it as an early sign of the challenges he has since faced.
El-Rufai said he later honoured an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on February 16, after which he was detained and subsequently transferred to the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission two days later.
The latest issue, according to his camp, stems from a report published on April 18 by The Nation, which detailed claims by a witness, Mohammed Umar Karage, that gunmen invaded his home. The report suggested the attack could be linked to his role in an ongoing case at the State High .
El-Rufai’s team, however, rejected any connection to the incident, accusing the publication of making what it described as false insinuations aimed at smearing his image, undermining his bail application, and linking him to serious offences without evidence.
The statement insisted that the former governor is a law-abiding citizen with no involvement in the alleged attack, adding that his legal team has been directed to initiate defamation proceedings against the newspaper.
It further alleged that since 2023, El-Rufai has faced a sustained campaign of “innuendo and vilification,” despite his record in public office.
The statement also warned against what it described as the misuse of legal processes, stressing that the rule of law must not be turned into a tool for oppression and that El-Rufai deserves full due process like any other citizen.
