By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The legal team of former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, on Thursday condemned what it described as an unlawful attempt by security operatives to arrest their client upon his arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by Ubong Esop Akpan of The Chambers of Ubong Akpan, counsel to El-Rufai, the lawyers alleged that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) attempted to arrest the former governor without presenting a warrant or formal invitation.

According to the statement, El-Rufai arrived in Abuja aboard Egypt Air flight MS 877 from Cairo when security agents moved to detain him.

The legal team argued that the invitation earlier issued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was delivered to El-Rufai’s residence while he was out of the country, describing any demand for immediate appearance as “illogical and impractical.”

The lawyers said they had formally communicated with the EFCC since December 2025, assuring the Commission that El-Rufai would honour the invitation upon his return. They further stated that the EFCC was notified that he would voluntarilyx appear at its office by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026.

They described the alleged attempt to arrest him despite this commitment as arbitrary and a violation of due process.

The statement further alleged that security operatives seized El-Rufai’s international passport during the encounter, an action the legal team characterised as unlawful.

Citing provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the lawyers contended that the attempted arrest breached their client’s fundamental rights, including the right to personal liberty, fair hearing, dignity of the human person, freedom of movement and right to own property.

“No government agency possesses unfettered authority to detain citizens without due process,” the statement read, adding that all state institutions are bound by constitutional safeguards.

The legal team demanded the “immediate and unconditional cessation” of any attempt to detain El-Rufai, the return of his passport, and a formal apology for what it termed an infringement on his rights and dignity.

It also maintained that the former governor would honour all legitimate law enforcement summons and would not evade lawful investigation.

The lawyers warned that legal action would be pursued against individuals and agencies allegedly responsible for the incident, stressing that the judiciary remains the proper avenue for resolving the matter.

As of press time, there was no official response from the DSS or the EFCC regarding the allegations.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has dissolved the State Executive Council with immediate effect.

The announcement was made in a Government Special Announcement issued on Thursday and signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onwuka Nzeshi.

According to the statement, all Commissioners and Special Advisers have been directed to hand over to the Permanent Secretaries or the most senior officers in their respective ministries without delay.

“His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, has dissolved the State Executive Council,” the statement read.

The governor also expressed appreciation to the outgoing members of the Executive Council for their service and wished them well in their future endeavours.

No reason was provided for the dissolution at the time of filing this report.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he will represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 2026 African Union (AU) Summit.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), this year’s summit is themed: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”

The gathering will center on advancing continent-wide commitments to sustainable water resource management, improved sanitation infrastructure, and the broader developmental objectives outlined in the AU’s Agenda 2063 framework.

During his stay in Addis Ababa, Vice President Shettima will participate in the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of AU Heads of State and Government and the 30th General Assembly, scheduled for February 14 and 15, 2026, respectively.

On the sidelines of the main summit, Shettima is expected to engage in high-level side events and hold bilateral meetings with political leaders and business executives. These engagements are aimed at deepening Nigeria’s diplomatic ties, expanding economic cooperation, and reinforcing strategic partnerships across the continent.

The Vice President is accompanied by cabinet ministers and other senior government officials. He is scheduled to return to Nigeria upon the conclusion of his official engagements in Ethiopia.