Adeyanju Dismisses El-Rufai’s Airport Arrest Claims as ‘Political Theatrics

Civil rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju has pushed back against claims by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, that security operatives attempted to unlawfully detain him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, describing the episode as exaggerated and staged for public consumption.

In an interview with ARISE News on Friday, Adeyanju responded to El-Rufai’s allegations, stating he was unconvinced that any arrest was imminent. He characterised the former governor as a politician adept at leveraging drama for political gain.

“I am not convinced that there was any plan to arrest him. I’m not convinced from the clip,” Adeyanju stated. “I think Malam Nasir El-Rufai, just like everyone who agrees with me, is always extremely sensational and is a drama artist as well. He’s very good at this opposition thing. He knew what he was doing, and when he came in, he came very prepared for cameras.”

Adeyanju suggested the incident was less about an unlawful detention and more about a procedural action by security agencies. He argued that if authorities had intended to arrest El-Rufai, they would have done so immediately.

“I think that they wanted to target his passport, and the DSS actually got his passport. I think that was what they wanted to get. Nobody planned to arrest him. If there was a plan to arrest him, for sure they would have arrested him,” he said.

The activist explained that arrests in Nigeria are governed by legal frameworks requiring either a warrant or probable cause. He noted that El-Rufai is likely familiar with these provisions, adding that the seizure of his passport may have been lawful if his name appeared on a security watch list.

“Probable cause is a fundamental ground for arrest, and Malam Nasir El-Rufai is even very lucky that his passport was taken from him. Several of his critics didn’t even get this kind of treatment, the kind of fantastic treatment that he got at the airport,” Adeyanju remarked.

He referenced Section 2 of the DSS instrument regulation, which aligns with the NSA Act, as granting the agency the authority to confiscate passports of individuals on a watch list.

While maintaining that unlawful arrests must be condemned, Adeyanju stressed that El-Rufai is not above investigation. He pointed out that the former governor has acknowledged being aware of inquiries by anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

“He has said that he knew that the security agencies were looking for him. He has admitted that he had written to the EFCC. He has also alluded to the fact that the ICPC is investigating him. So if these agencies were looking for you and you are aware, why are you creating the drama there?” Adeyanju questioned.

Adeyanju also criticised what he termed the irony of El-Rufai’s situation, suggesting that figures once in positions of authority are now casting themselves as victims. He called on the former governor to cooperate with authorities rather than frame the process as persecution.

“I am calling that he should be investigated… He cannot be the judge, jury and executioner. He should submit himself to investigation and probe,” Adeyanju said, adding that an investigation does not presume guilt but is a necessary step toward accountability.

In response, El-Rufai has maintained his stance, alleging direct involvement by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in a plot against him. Speaking on ARISE News later on Friday, El-Rufai claimed his associates intercepted communications indicating that Ribadu ordered his arrest.

Despite the controversy, El-Rufai announced via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle that he would honour an invitation from the ICPC. He confirmed that his lawyer had communicated his willingness to appear at the ICPC office on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.