APC Ex-Spokesman Says Plan Exists to Detain El-Rufai at Court

A former All Progressives Congress spokesman issued a statement early Monday cautioning against an alleged plan by intelligence operatives to take former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai into custody from the Federal High Court in Abuja. The statement said the spokesman had received information alleging that operatives might attempt to arrest el-Rufai when he appears before Justice M.B. Idris.

It added that such a move would contradict existing court orders directing that el-Rufai remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission pending the determination of matters before the court.

The statement alleged that security operatives had met the previous night to finalize arrangements for the plan. It also expressed concern that if any attempt to silence el-Rufai failed, the fallback plan might be to keep the former governor in prolonged detention until after the 2027 elections.

The spokesman said it was unfortunate that the Kaduna State Governor once known as a civil rights activist now appeared associated with actions many considered inconsistent with the rule of law.

The spokesman warned that any attempt to forcibly remove el-Rufai from court premises in defiance of subsisting court orders would amount to an assault on the rule of law. He called on civil society organizations, northern leaders, religious groups, and the international community to closely monitor developments surrounding the case.

The statement said Nigerians, northern leaders, civil society groups, religious leaders, and all lovers of justice and democracy should rise in one voice against oppression and selective justice. It added that if anything happens to el-Rufai, the Kaduna State Governor and the President must be held responsible.