Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has dismissed claims that former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is being persecuted.
Instead Adeyanju insisted that the ex-governor may be facing the consequences of his past actions.
Adeyanju spoke on Friday during an appearance on ARISE PrimeTime, a current affairs programme on Arise News, amid reports that security operatives attempted to seize El-Rufai’s passport.
He said he was not persuaded that there was any concrete plan to arrest the former governor, describing the situation as exaggerated.
“I am not convinced there was any plan to arrest Mallam El-Rufai. He is always extremely sensational and dramatic. He knew what he was doing when he arrived; he came prepared for the cameras,” Adeyanju said.
“If there was a plan to arrest him, they would have done so.”
According to him, Nigerian law permits arrest either through a valid court warrant or on the basis of probable cause, and authorities would have relied on established legal procedures if detention was intended.
The activist further alleged that during El-Rufai’s tenure between 2015 and 2023, some critics were arrested without warrants.
He mentioned former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu, and Kaduna-based journalist and activist Steven Kefas as among those who had public disagreements with the former governor.
“He was lucky that his passport was taken from him,” Adeyanju said, arguing that public officials who once wielded power without restraint often face scrutiny after leaving office.
He maintained that no individual should be above the law, stressing that any allegations of corruption or abuse of office must be thoroughly investigated. Adeyanju urged anti-graft and security agencies to carry out their responsibilities without yielding to pressure or intimidation.
Referencing previous cases, he said individuals placed on the watchlist of the Department of State Services often face travel restrictions, citing Senator Natasha Akpoti and activist Omoyele Sowore as examples.
Adeyanju also called for a probe into El-Rufai’s stewardship, noting that some former aides of the ex-governor had reportedly faced investigations.
He, however, emphasised that the former governor’s rights must be respected in line with due process.
“As of today, those who acted like they were above the law must be ready to answer questions. Oppressors of yesterday cannot suddenly become heroes of today,” he said.
As of press time, neither El-Rufai nor the DSS had issued an official statement confirming reports of passport seizure or any planned arrest.
