Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has alleged that some political forces are attempting to force him into self-imposed exile through intimidation and threats of arrest.

El-Rufai said this in reaction to claims by a Twitter user that there were plans to arrest El-Rufai upon his return to Nigeria on “concocted allegations.”

El-Rufai, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), accused unnamed political figures of attempting to use the judicial system against him.

He said such threats were part of a larger plan to force him into self-imposed exile but noted that he has no intention of leaving the country.

“They freaked out when we challenged the legality of the premeditated defamation, and went to every length to compromise the judicial process, and this is continuing at the Court of Appeal,” El-Rufai disclosed on X on Tuesday.

“They have sent such similar messages of intimidation and threats through many of my friends, family and political associates because they want me to go on self-imposed exile. I will not.“

However, El-Rufai noted that he had put his “previous academic” and “language-learning plans” on hold to spend more time in Nigeria than ever before.

He noted that “Silence is no longer golden. Inaction has never been an option.

“The arrest, detention and torture of perceived political enemies are nothing new in human affairs. I have been arrested and detained thrice in the past for expressing my views of previous governments.”

El-Rufai also noted that he has been “arrested and detained thrice in the past for expressing my views of previous governments.”

The arrest, detention and torture of perceived political enemies are nothing new in human affairs, El-Rufai added.

He, however, disclosed that he plans to return to Nigeria for the upcoming launch of former President Ibrahim Babangida’s memoirs on February 20, 2025.

“There is always a morning after the arrest or detention or torture, and political life continues. As for death, it when Allah destines it, and it is ultimate the date of every human,” El-Rufai said.

“For the attention of the pathetic characters that don’t sleep well whenever I am in Nigeria, take notice that I intend to return in time for the launch of Pres IBB’s memoirs, in sha Allah, scheduled for 20th February.”

The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu, on Monday, questioned the jurisdiction of the court over his alleged terrorism case when he re-appeared before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court for the resumed hearing of his protracted case.

Despite Kanu’s insistence that Justice Nyako has no jurisdiction over his case, the judge adjourned the matter indefinitely.

Kanu was brought into Nigeria in June 2021 and has since been detained and tried for alleged terrorism. His trial was stalled after Justice Nyako recused herself from the case following an oral application by the defendant on September 24, 2024.

The IPOB leader had directly told the judge that he no longer had confidence in her handling of his trial.

However, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, John Tsoho, reverted the file to Nyako on the ground that Kanu’s application must be brought formally before the court through a motion on notice.

Consequently, in a letter dated December 5, 2024, addressed to the Deputy Chief Registrar, Adegboyega Awomolo, the prosecution counsel, asked the court to fix a date for the commencement of the trial.

Opposing the request for a trial date, the defence counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, in a letter dated December 9, 2024 said the ruling of the judge recusing herself remained valid.

Subsequently, Ejimakor asked that the case be transferred to a Federal High Court in the South-East if no judge in Abuja is willing to preside over it. His prayer, however, did not see the light of day.

At the resumed hearing on Monday, February 10, 2025, Justice Nyako said the chief judge had not accepted her recusal and had referred the case back to her.

She asked the defence team led by Ejimakor to come up with a written application if they still insist on the recusal.

Earlier, the Prosecution counsel led by Adegboyega Awomolo, said they were ready for the commencement of trial as his witnesses were ready.

Poor knowledge of Court affecting Nigeria – Kanu

Addressing the court, a furious Kanu questioned why he was brought before Justice Nyako. He said all that the judge said was meaningless to him. He said he does not recognise the authority of the court presided by Justice Nyako over him.

The IPOB leader said he was only in court because of the respect he has for the rule of law, adding that the judge had previously recused herself from the case.

Kanu said he was not happy with the decision of the chief judge who returned the case to Justice Nyako, insisting that the prosecution cannot prosecute him.

The IPOB leader insisted that Justice Nyako is biased over his case and should not preside over his case. He said poor knowledge of the court is affecting Nigeria.

The prosecution counsel took an objection to Kanu’s remarks and asked for a definite date for hearing since the prosecution has refused to file a written application. Awomolo said it was not right for Kanu to insult the court.

Despite Kanu’s objection, Justice Nyako adjourned his case indefinitely. (CHANNELSTV)