Former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, is expected to appear before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026, following what his legal team described as a failed attempt by security operatives to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
According to sources close to the former governor, El-Rufai had just arrived in Abuja on Thursday aboard Egypt Air flight MS 877 from Cairo, Egypt, when security operatives allegedly made moves to detain him. The circumstances surrounding the attempted arrest remain unclear, but his legal representatives insist that due process was not followed.
El-Rufai’s counsel, Ubong Esop Akpan, confirmed in a statement that his client would honour the EFCC’s invitation and appear before the commission as scheduled. Akpan disclosed that the EFCC had earlier sent an invitation letter to El-Rufai’s residence in December 2025 while the former governor was out of the country. 
At the time, Akpan said, El-Rufai was in Egypt receiving medical treatment and taking time to rest after leaving office. The legal team reportedly acknowledged receipt of the invitation and communicated with the EFCC, assuring the commission that their client would present himself for questioning immediately upon his return to Nigeria.
“Our client has always been willing to cooperate with lawful investigations,” Akpan stated. “The EFCC’s letter was delivered to his residence in December when he was outside the country. We promptly informed the commission of his absence and assured them that he would comply as soon as he returned.”
The lawyer added that there had been ongoing communication between the former governor’s team and the anti-graft agency, suggesting that the alleged attempt to arrest him at the airport was unnecessary.
Observers say the incident at the airport has raised questions about coordination between security agencies and the EFCC, as well as the broader approach to handling high-profile investigations. While the EFCC has yet to issue a detailed public statement on the matter, sources within the commission indicate that the invitation is part of routine investigative processes.
El-Rufai, who served as Kaduna State governor for eight years, remains a prominent figure in Nigeria’s political landscape. Known for his outspoken style and reform-driven agenda during his tenure, he has continued to play an active role in national discourse since leaving office.
His administration in Kaduna was marked by sweeping reforms in education, urban renewal, and public sector restructuring, though it was not without controversy. Critics often accused his government of high-handedness and questioned certain financial decisions taken during his time in office. Supporters, on the other hand, have consistently defended his record, describing him as a reformist leader willing to take tough decisions.
The EFCC, established to combat economic and financial crimes, has in recent years intensified investigations into former governors and public officials. Several ex-governors have faced questioning, arraignment, and prosecution over alleged financial improprieties linked to their time in office.
Political analysts note that appearances before anti-corruption agencies by former office holders are not uncommon in Nigeria’s evolving democratic space. However, the optics of an alleged airport arrest attempt have added a layer of drama to what might otherwise have been a routine compliance with an investigative invitation.
Some civil society organisations have called for transparency in the handling of the case, urging both the EFCC and El-Rufai’s team to ensure that the process remains within the bounds of the law.
“Every Nigerian, no matter how highly placed, is subject to the law,” said a spokesperson for a Lagos-based governance advocacy group. “At the same time, anti-graft agencies must adhere strictly to due process and avoid actions that could be perceived as harassment or political intimidation.”
As of press time, the EFCC had not publicly confirmed the details of the alleged airport incident. Attempts to reach commission officials for comment were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, supporters of the former governor have taken to social media to express concern over what they describe as an attempt to embarrass him. Others have urged him to fully cooperate with investigators to clear any doubts surrounding his administration.
In his brief remarks through counsel, El-Rufai reiterated his readiness to appear before the commission and respond to any questions put to him.
“He has nothing to hide,” Akpan said. “He is a law-abiding citizen who respects the institutions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He will be at the EFCC headquarters at the appointed time on Monday.”
The coming days are expected to provide more clarity on the nature of the EFCC’s inquiries and whether the commission intends to file formal charges. Legal experts note that an invitation for questioning does not automatically imply guilt but is often the first step in a broader investigative process.
For now, all eyes will be on Monday’s meeting at the EFCC headquarters, where the former Kaduna governor is expected to present himself before investigators. The outcome of the engagement could have implications not only for El-Rufai’s political future but also for ongoing conversations about accountability, transparency, and the rule of law in Nigeria.
As the situation unfolds, Nigerians await official statements from the relevant authorities to shed more light on the allegations and the events at the Abuja airport that have set the stage for Monday’s appearance.
