Nasir El-Rufai has claimed that security operatives planned to arrest his elder brother Bashir if he returned to Nigeria for their mother’s burial, in an apparent bid to pressure him into negotiations.
In a video statement released on Tuesday, El-Rufai said his brother stayed away to avoid detention.
“My elder brother Bashir El-Rufai couldn’t make it because we learned that there is a plan to arrest him because they believe if they get him, I will negotiate,” he said.
The allegation comes as El-Rufai faces corruption and money laundering charges filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). He was arraigned on March 24 before a Federal High Court in Kaduna on a 10-count indictment and granted temporary release to attend his mother’s funeral in Abuja on Sunday.
Hajiya Umma El-Rufai died in Cairo the previous week. The case has been adjourned until March 31 for hearing of pending applications, including his bail request.
