El-Rufai Is Acting” – Adeyanju Dismisses Arrest Claim As Pure Drama

that nearly resulted in his arrest.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, El-Rufai alleged that security agencies are increasingly being used for political purposes against opposition figures.

He claimed that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) attempted to detain him upon his return from Cairo without presenting a warrant or formal invitation, despite prior communication between his representatives and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to El-Rufai, shortly after disembarking from his flight, a DSS officer approached him and requested that he accompany them to their office.

“I had just stepped off the plane when a well-dressed officer introduced himself as being from the DSS and said they wanted to meet with me at their office. I asked to see the letter of invitation. He responded that his superiors had it and that he would take me to them. I told him I was proceeding to immigration and that they should provide the letter,” he recounted.

He said additional operatives appeared as he moved toward immigration control, reiterating their request that he follow them.

“They insisted they needed to take me to their office. I made it clear that I would not accompany anyone without being shown a formal letter of invitation,” he stated.

El-Rufai added that he reminded the officers of the importance of due process, stressing that no public official, including the President, could compel him to act outside the law.

“I told them that even the President cannot order me to do anything without due process. This is a democratic country, and I am not obligated to comply with unlawful directives. It is inappropriate to suggest otherwise,” he said.

He maintained that he completed immigration procedures, had his passport stamped, and exited the airport. However, he alleged that security operatives later confronted one of his aides, assaulted him, and confiscated his passport.

“That was the aide who was beaten and had the passport taken from him. If the passport had remained with me, this situation would not have arisen,” he claimed.

El-Rufai also said he was moved by what he described as spontaneous reactions from fellow passengers during the incident.

He cautioned that public trust in security institutions could erode if they are perceived as acting without neutrality.

“When citizens lose confidence in the impartiality of such institutions, it poses a serious risk to democratic stability,” he warned.