El-Rufai uncovers shocking plot to ‘nail him’

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has raised concerns over what he claims is a renewed attempt to implicate him in criminal activities, alleging a coordinated scheme aimed at damaging his reputation and keeping him in custody.

In a statement released on Sunday through his Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, the former governor warned of what he termed “malicious orchestrations,” citing recent events as evidence of a troubling trend.

He referenced an earlier episode on February 12, 2026, when he said he was marked for arrest upon arrival at Abuja Airport from Cairo, describing the incident as a precursor to his current ordeal.

El-Rufai further revealed that he 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 on February 18.

The latest development, according to his camp, follows an April 18 report by The Nation titled “El-Rufai’s trial: Gunmen invade principal witness home.” The report cited one Mohammed Umar Karage, a witness in an ongoing case before the Kaduna State High Court, who alleged that armed men attacked his residence.

While acknowledging that citizens have a responsibility to report criminal incidents, El-Rufai’s camp faulted the publication for what it described as “false imputations” and insinuations linking him to the alleged attack.

The report quoted the witness as suggesting that the incident might be tied to his involvement in the trial and could be an attempt to silence him, drawing parallels with the disappearance of Kaduna-based activist, Abubakar Idris Dadiyata.

Rejecting the claims, El-Rufai’s camp argued that the report was deliberately designed to tarnish his image, weaken his pending bail request, and associate him with serious criminal allegations.

“Any objective reader would recognise the clear intent behind these statements: to tarnish his reputation and justify his continued detention,” the statement said.

Insisting on his innocence, El-Rufai described himself as a law-abiding citizen with no link to the alleged incident. He added that his legal team has been directed to commence defamation proceedings against the newspaper.

The statement also claimed that since 2023, the former governor has faced a sustained campaign of “innuendos and vilification,” despite what it described as his contributions to public service and national development.

It further cautioned against the abuse of legal mechanisms, stressing that the rule of law must not be weaponised.

“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.