Don’t ‘Abduct El-Rufai from Court, Timi Frank Warns

Former spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has raised concern over an alleged plan by some intelligence operatives to take former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, into custody from the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.

Frank, in a statement issued early Monday, claimed he received information from sources suggesting that operatives might attempt to arrest El-Rufai when he appears before Justice M.B. Idris of the Federal High Court.

He alleged that the move forms part of what he described as a broader political effort against the former governor, warning that such an action would undermine the rule of law.

“Pursuant to what appears to be a grand plan by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to politically eliminate Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, I have been reliably informed that plans have allegedly been concluded … to forcefully take him into custody today from the Federal High Court, Abuja, where he is meant to appear,” Frank said.

He further alleged that the action would violate existing court orders directing that El-Rufai remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) pending the determination of ongoing legal matters.

Frank also claimed that security operatives met the previous night to finalise arrangements for the alleged plan and warned that failure of an initial attempt could result in prolonged detention of the former governor ahead of the 2027 elections.

He expressed concern that political actors who were previously known for civil rights advocacy now appear to be involved in actions inconsistent with democratic principles.

The activist, who also serves as the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, called on civil society organisations, religious leaders, northern stakeholders, and the international community to monitor developments closely.

Frank stressed that while he supports anti-corruption efforts, such actions must be carried out within the confines of due process and fairness.

He warned that any attempt to forcibly remove El-Rufai from court premises would amount to an attack on the rule of law, urging Nigerians to resist what he described as selective justice.