Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has raised concerns over what he described as a coordinated attempt to damage his reputation following reports linking him to an alleged attack on a prosecution witness.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai firmly denied any involvement in the incident, describing the allegations as malicious and unfounded.
The statement referenced a report by The Nation published on April 18, which claimed that gunmen attacked the residence of a principal witness in an ongoing case and suggested a possible connection to proceedings involving the former governor.
According to Adekeye, the publication contained insinuations aimed at framing El-Rufai, warning that such claims were part of a deliberate effort to smear his public image and undermine ongoing legal processes.
“Any objective reader would recognise the clear intent behind these statements: to smear Malam Nasir El-Rufai’s reputation, jeopardise his pending bail application at the Kaduna State High Court, and implicate him in serious capital offences,” the statement read.
El-Rufai maintained that he has no connection whatsoever to the reported incident and has instructed his legal team to initiate defamation proceedings against those responsible for the claims.
The statement also highlighted recent legal developments involving the former governor. It disclosed that he was invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16, 2026, following an earlier attempt to arrest him at the Abuja airport.
He was subsequently detained and later transferred to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), where he remains in custody and has been arraigned before two separate high courts.
Adekeye described the situation as part of a broader pattern of targeting the former governor, alleging that since 2023, El-Rufai has faced sustained campaigns of vilification and negative publicity.
The statement concluded with a call for adherence to the rule of law and respect for due process, stressing the importance of fairness and objectivity in handling matters involving public figures.
