“Ribadu Ordered My Arrest” — El-Rufai Claims Plot Was Exposed Through Tapped Call
By: Oluwaseun Lawal
It started at the airport. A return trip from Egypt. Then, suddenly, security operatives.
Former Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai says the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, directed operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Thursday. A serious allegation. A dramatic scene.
Speaking on Arise News on Friday night, el-Rufai recounted the moment. Officers approached him. He said they did not present any formal invitation or warrant. So he refused to follow them. Simple.
According to him, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) allegedly used the DSS to detain him and then transfer him into its custody. He described it as a pattern. A method. One he believes is being weaponised.
El-Rufai went further.
He claimed Ribadu personally made the call ordering his detention. How did he know? The interviewer asked the obvious question. His answer raised eyebrows.
He said his associates intercepted communications. That someone “tapped” Ribadu’s phone and informed them of the directive. He admitted such action would technically be illegal. But he argued that government agencies also monitor calls without court orders. So, in his view, it cuts both ways.
It’s a bold claim. One that escalates an already tense political atmosphere.
Interestingly, el-Rufai drew a distinction between agencies. He commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing its conduct as professional. He said he would honour its invitation and appear before the commission on Monday.
As for the ICPC, he stated that a written invitation was eventually delivered to his residence around 5 p.m. on Thursday — hours after the airport encounter. His lawyer reportedly responded, informing the commission that he would attend after his scheduled meeting with the EFCC.
So the timeline now stretches into next week. EFCC first. Then ICPC.
As of now, the DSS, ICPC, and the Office of the National Security Adviser have not publicly responded to the accusations.
Allegations. Counter-allegations. And a story that may be far from over.
