El-Rufai’s Wives Beg Tinubu for Fair Treatment, Say Family Is Traumatised

ABUJA — The wives of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, have made an emotional appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to ensure their husband receives fair treatment and enjoys his constitutional rights amid his ongoing legal battle.

Speaking with journalists at their Abuja residence on Tuesday, Hajiya Asiya El-Rufai, flanked by the former governor’s second wife, Aichatou El-Rufai, reminded the President of the support their family gave him during the 2023 presidential election campaign.

According to Asiya, the family is not asking the President to interfere with the judicial process or stop the prosecution of the former governor, but to ensure that he is accorded the rights guaranteed to every Nigerian under the Constitution.

“Mr. President, I campaigned for you. I went to every nook and cranny of Kaduna State for you. My husband stood by your side. Is this what our family deserves?” she said.

She added that the President has the authority to ensure fairness, saying, “The ball is in your court. We believe you are a father and can empathise.”

The former Kaduna First Lady appealed for El-Rufai to be granted bail on reasonable terms, stressing that the courts should determine his innocence or guilt.

“We are not asking you to stop the prosecution. We are only asking that he be allowed the basic human rights guaranteed by the Constitution. If he is guilty, let the court decide; if he is innocent, let the court also decide,” she said.

Asiya alleged that the family had been subjected to severe emotional distress since the former governor’s detention, describing their experience as “psychological warfare.”

“We, the family, are traumatised. We live in constant fear that we may wake up to hear some terrible news,” she said, adding that restrictions on visits by relatives and legal representatives had made it difficult for El-Rufai to prepare adequately for his defence.

She also expressed concern over her husband’s health, claiming he suffers from high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar levels but has been denied adequate access to his personal doctors.

The appeal came shortly after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) confirmed the arrest of El-Rufai’s personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar.

The anti-graft agency alleged that the doctor made false statements during an official medical consultation involving the former governor. The commission also accused El-Rufai of breaching the conditions attached to a court-approved medical visit while in its custody.

According to the ICPC, the Kaduna State High Court had fixed July 6, 7 and 8 for the accelerated hearing of criminal charges against the former governor, but he failed to appear in court on the first day after insisting on seeing his personal physician before leaving the commission’s custody. The commission maintained that it facilitated the medical visit in compliance with a court order and in line with its obligation to protect the welfare of persons in custody.

However, Asiya questioned the circumstances surrounding the arrest of the physician and alleged that officials informed the family that the doctor could not have access to El-Rufai based on “orders from above.”

The family insisted that while they would continue to defend the former governor in court, they wanted the judicial process to remain transparent, fair and in accordance with the rule of law.

The emotional appeal has sparked reactions across the political landscape, with supporters urging the Federal Government to ensure due process, while others insist that the allegations against the former governor should be determined solely by the courts.

El-Rufai’s Wives Beg Tinubu for Fair Treatment, Say Family Is Traumatised

Presidency Alleges PFIPC DG Forged Gbajabiamila’s Signature, Police Release Suspect’s Father

The Presidency has alleged that the self-acclaimed Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Mathew, forged the signature of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, on a fake appointment letter, as the police released his father following public criticism over his arrest.

The Presidency said investigations by the police established that the appointment letter presented by Adeyemi, which purportedly originated from the Office of the Chief of Staff, contained a forged signature.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, maintained that neither Gbajabiamila nor the Presidency had any connection with the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, describing it as a non-existent government agency.

According to the Presidency, Adeyemi allegedly forged official government documents and falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the purported council. It further alleged that he operated multiple bank accounts linked to fictitious government agencies in a bid to deceive members of the public.

Adeyemi is currently facing charges bordering on forgery, impersonation and conspiracy before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Meanwhile, the police have released Adeyemi’s father after his arrest drew criticism from legal practitioners and rights advocates.

The arrest of the elderly man had sparked outrage, with senior lawyers arguing that Nigerian law does not permit the arrest or detention of a suspect’s relative solely to compel the suspect to surrender or cooperate with investigators, except where the relative is directly implicated in the alleged offence.

The release followed growing public concern over the legality of the action, although the police have yet to issue an official statement explaining the circumstances surrounding his arrest and subsequent release.

Presidency Alleges PFIPC DG Forged Gbajabiamila’s Signature, Police Release Suspect’s Father

Xenophobic attacks: Senate threatens review of diplomatic relations with South Africa

The Nigerian Senate has threatened to review the country’s diplomatic relations with South Africa over renewed xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians, warning that Abuja may be forced to adopt tougher measures if the safety of its citizens is not guaranteed.

The upper legislative chamber also ordered a fresh investigation into the attacks and directed the Federal Government to seek firm assurances from the South African authorities on the protection of Nigerians living, working and doing business in the country.

The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong, who drew lawmakers’ attention to reports of a June 30, 2026 ultimatum allegedly issued to foreign nationals, including Nigerians, to leave parts of South Africa amid escalating anti-immigrant protests.

The Senate’s latest intervention comes amid renewed diplomatic tensions between Africa’s two largest economies following reports that two Nigerian citizens were recently killed during the latest wave of anti-migrant violence in South Africa. Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned the killings, warning that all diplomatic options remain on the table if attacks on Nigerians continue.

During the debate, senators unanimously condemned the recurring attacks, describing them as unacceptable, inhumane and inconsistent with the principles of African unity.

Calls for tougher diplomatic action

Leading the debate, Senator Salihu Mustapha (Kwara Central) urged the Federal Government to abandon what he described as a passive diplomatic approach and adopt stronger measures against Pretoria.

“We cannot continue to fold our arms while Nigerians are being killed and their businesses looted,” Mustapha said.

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“This is the starting point for a very robust engagement. I suggest we sever all diplomatic relationships with South Africa.”

However, former Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, urged caution, arguing that the attacks should not automatically be interpreted as official South African government policy.

According to him, the violence could be linked to internal political efforts aimed at destabilising the South African government and weakening the governing African National Congress (ANC).

Recalling Nigeria’s historic support for South Africa during the anti-apartheid struggle, Abdullahi maintained that the situation required careful diplomatic handling.

“This is a coordinated effort to destabilise the government of South Africa and to remove the ruling party, the ANC, from office,” he said.

“There is an attempt from the right wing of White South Africans and now coming up from the Black ones to delegitimise the government as quickly as possible. We should tread with great caution and carefully consider this conspiracy.”

The senator also lamented what he described as inadequate funding of Nigeria’s foreign missions, saying the country’s embassies and high commissions have become too weak to effectively protect Nigerians abroad.

Senate demands written guarantees

Following extensive deliberations, the Senate adopted several far-reaching resolutions aimed at protecting Nigerians residing in South Africa.

Lawmakers directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, and other relevant agencies to obtain written guarantees from the South African government on the safety and security of Nigerians.

The Senate also insisted that all those responsible for attacks, killings, looting and destruction of property belonging to Nigerians must be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with South African law.

In addition, the lawmakers mandated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria to compile a comprehensive register of Nigerians affected by the attacks.

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The database is expected to include Nigerians who were killed, injured, displaced, unlawfully detained or whose businesses and properties were destroyed, with the aim of pursuing compensation and legal redress.

The demand for compensation comes despite the South African government’s recent rejection of calls to compensate Nigerians who abandoned their homes, businesses and properties while fleeing the violence.

South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, had argued that compensation could only apply to legally registered assets, insisting that structures in informal settlements do not qualify under the country’s property laws.

She also challenged the Nigerian government to cooperate in identifying criminal syndicates allegedly operated by some foreign nationals, including Nigerians, within South Africa.

Nigeria seeks continental response

Beyond bilateral engagement, the Senate urged the Federal Government to work with the African Union (AU) and other African countries to establish an early warning and accountability mechanism capable of preventing future xenophobic violence across the continent.

Lawmakers stressed that attacks on African migrants undermine regional integration, economic cooperation and the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The Senate further mandated its Committees on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Affairs to review the implementation of its earlier resolution of May 5, 2026, on xenophobic attacks and examine existing bilateral agreements between Nigeria and South Africa.

Both committees were directed to submit their findings within two legislative weeks.

Tension briefly rose during the debate when Senator Abdul Ningi proposed that President Bola Tinubu should begin the process of severing diplomatic ties with South Africa should the attacks continue.

Similarly, Senator Adams Oshiomhole suggested that profits generated by South African-owned companies operating in Nigeria should be appropriated to compensate Nigerian victims of xenophobic violence.

Deputy President of the Senate Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, urged restraint, insisting that the Senate should first await the outcome of the committees’ investigation before considering stronger diplomatic or economic sanctions.

The latest Senate action follows growing concern over anti-immigrant protests that have swept parts of South Africa in recent months. Although South African authorities insist many demonstrations have been peaceful, several incidents have turned violent, with foreign nationals reportedly attacked and foreign-owned businesses looted. South Africa has called on Nigeria to submit evidence through diplomatic channels while investigations continue into the reported death of one Nigerian during police interrogation.

Xenophobic attacks: Senate threatens review of diplomatic relations with South Africa