El-Rufai Claims Arrest Plot Against Brother Amid Legal Woes

Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, has alleged that there are plans by security operatives to arrest his elder brother, Bashir El-Rufai, upon his return to Nigeria for their mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai's burial. Nasir claims this alleged plan is aimed at leveraging Bashir to force him into negotiations.

He expressed disbelief at the purported arrest plan, suggesting it is a tactic to negotiate with him. Hajiya Umma El-Rufai passed away on a Friday and was buried on Sunday.

This situation unfolds against the backdrop of Nasir El-Rufai's own legal challenges, as he faces arrest and detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations of corruption and money laundering. He was arraigned in a Federal High Court in Kaduna on March 24, 2023, on ten counts, with the case adjourned until March 31, 2026, pending applications, including a bail request.

However, he was granted temporary release from ICPC custody to attend his mother’s burial.