El-Rufai’s Son Names Politicians Who Called About His Detained Father

Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has revealed some of the prominent politicians who contacted him over the continued detention and legal battles involving his father.

Bello, who represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, said former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi were among those who called to ask about the former Kaduna governor.

He also listed former Rivers State Governor and ADC presidential running mate Rotimi Amaechi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, who is Obi’s running mate, among the politicians who reached out to him.

According to Bello, the calls were particularly significant to him because some of the politicians who expressed concern about his father had previously been on different sides of political disagreements with the former Kaduna governor.

He singled out Obi, saying the former Anambra State governor repeatedly contacted him to check on Nasir El-Rufai despite Bello’s previous criticism of him.

In a video seen by POLITICS NIGERIA, Bello said: “Politicians like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mr Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Kwankwaso, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and others called me to ask about my dad.

“I would like to thank them, particularly Mr Peter Obi. He always called me to ask about my dad. And for me, at 38, it’s a lesson in life because, in the case of Obi, I used to be critical of him.

“And for Malam, he is using the time to finish books, catch up, read the Quran, so it’s also a moment for him in isolation to reflect, plan better, and tone down on things like that.”

Nasir El-Rufai has been facing a series of legal proceedings since February 2026 after being taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The ICPC confirmed on February 18 that the former governor was in its custody in connection with an ongoing investigation.

The development followed his earlier appearance before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and an incident involving security operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

The former governor served as Kaduna State governor from 2015 to 2023 before joining the opposition political camp ahead of the 2027 general elections.

His legal troubles have since extended beyond the ICPC investigation.

He has faced proceedings involving alleged financial offences as well as a separate case brought by the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged unlawful interception of telephone communications involving National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

The DSS case followed comments made by El-Rufai during a February 2026 television interview in which he spoke about access to a telephone conversation involving Ribadu.

The prosecution subsequently filed an amended five-count charge against him. El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to the allegations.

The wiretapping case has continued at the Federal High Court in Abuja, with both the prosecution and defence presenting their respective positions.

In June, the DSS closed its case after calling two witnesses.

El-Rufai’s legal team subsequently filed a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had not established sufficient evidence requiring the former governor to open a defence.

The matter came up again on September 22, when Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja heard arguments from both sides on the no-case submission.

El-Rufai’s lawyers urged the court to discharge him, maintaining that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case.

The DSS, however, asked the court to reject the application and order the former governor to enter his defence.

Prosecuting counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, argued that the evidence before the court was sufficient to sustain the case.

Justice Abdulmalik thereafter fixed October 26, 2026, for ruling on the no-case submission.

The former governor is also pursuing a separate legal challenge against the ICPC, the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

In that case, El-Rufai is seeking N1 billion in damages over issues surrounding the search of his Abuja residence by security and anti-corruption operatives.

The Federal High Court has adjourned the suit until October 27 for further hearing after the Federal Government filed a counter-affidavit opposing his claims.