Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has raised the alarm over what he described as a coordinated attempt to damage his reputation, following a newspaper report linking him to an alleged attack on a prosecution witness.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai denied any involvement in the incident and described the claims as malicious and defamatory.
The statement was in response to a report published by _The Nation_ on April 18, 2026, titled “El-Rufai’s trial: Gunmen invade principal witness home.” The report said a witness in an ongoing case had reported an attack on his residence and linked the incident to his role in proceedings involving the former governor.
According to Adekeye, the publication contained “innuendos suggestive of a plot to frame Malam Nasir El-Rufai,” adding that such claims were clearly intended to tarnish his image.
“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 insisted he has “no connection whatsoever to the incidents described” and said he has directed his legal team to commence defamation proceedings against those responsible for the publication.
The statement also outlined recent legal developments involving the former governor. It noted that he was invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16, 2026, after 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. He has since been arraigned before two separate high courts.
Describing the situation as part of a broader pattern, the statement said El-Rufai has been subjected to sustained attacks since 2023. “Since 2023, Malam El-Rufai has been subjected to an appalling and sustained campaign of innuendos and vilification,” it said.
The former governor called for strict adherence to the rule of law and respect for due process, stressing that ongoing proceedings should not be prejudiced by media narratives or unfounded allegations.
He maintained that he remains committed to clearing his name through lawful means and expressed confidence that the courts will address the matters before them without external interference.
