El-Rufai’s Airport Ordeal Is ‘Karma’, Ex-Governor Must Face Probe — Deji Adeyanju

Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has described the recent airport incident involving former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai as a “karma,” insisting that the ex-governor should submit himself to investigation over alleged corruption and human rights abuses.

Adeyanju made the remarks on Friday during an appearance on ARISE News’ Prime Time Special, where he argued that El-Rufai was experiencing the same heavy-handed tactics he allegedly deployed while in office.

“He’s facing the same karma today because when these guys were in power, they behaved like gods. They did not follow due process,” Adeyanju said. “This is karma.”

The activist spoke against the backdrop of claims that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) attempted to arrest El-Rufai at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Thursday, following his return from Cairo, Egypt—a development the former governor has described as persecution.

Adeyanju, however, questioned the narrative of persecution, noting that El-Rufai had publicly admitted that anti-graft agencies were investigating him.

“He has admitted that he knew security agencies were looking for him. He has said he wrote to the EFCC, and he has also alluded to the fact that the ICPC is investigating him,” Adeyanju stated, referring to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other offences Commission (ICPC).

According to Adeyanju, if security agencies were indeed interested in El-Rufai, creating public drama around the incident was unnecessary.

“If these agencies were looking for you and you are aware, why are you creating the drama?” he asked.

While stressing that any attempt to detain a citizen without a warrant would be unconstitutional, Adeyanju said he did not believe there was a genuine plan to arrest El-Rufai at the airport.

“If they attempted to arrest him without a warrant, it would be unlawful and unconstitutional, and I would condemn it,” he said. “But in my view, I don’t believe anybody was trying to arrest him.”

He suggested instead that El-Rufai may have been placed on a watchlist, a process which, he explained, often begins with the seizure of a suspect’s passport at the airport.

“Once you are put on a watchlist, the first thing they target is your passport. I believe that in the process, they have gotten his passport,” Adeyanju said.

The activist rejected claims of political persecution, urging Nigerians to revisit El-Rufai’s record in office as governor.

“Nobody is persecuting him. If you want to see persecution, go and look at the victims of Malam Nasiru El-Rufai when he was governor,” he said.

Adeyanju listed alleged instances of repression, including the persecution of critics, demolition of opponents’ properties, and disregard for court orders.

“Teachers and civil servants went to court and got an order restraining him from sacking them. He sacked them nonetheless,” he said.

Despite his criticism, Adeyanju, however, maintained that El-Rufai’s rights must still be respected.

“Even while I’m calling for his investigation, I’m saying his rights must be respected because every citizen of Nigeria has rights,” he noted.

He argued that allegations surrounding El-Rufai’s administration warranted a thorough probe, especially as some former aides were reportedly already facing trial.

“He cannot be the judge, jury, and executioner. He should submit himself to investigation and probe. If there is a prima facie case, then he will be charged and have his day in court,” Adeyanju said.

In his closing remarks, the activist doubled down on his “karma” assertion. “The oppressors of yesterday cannot suddenly become heroes today,” he said. “This is karma.”