By Ayodele Oni
To those protesting against the move to arrest former Governor of Kaduna state, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai by security agents last Thursday at Abuja Airport, former presidential aide and ambassador-designate, Reno Omokri, has revealed what he described as the many sins, allegedly, committed while he was serving as governor.
He has, therefore, renewed his call for the prosecution of Nasir El-Rufai over allegations linked to his time as governor of Kaduna State.
Omokri made the demand in a social media post on Friday, focusing on what he described as a troubling legacy from El-Rufai’s eight years in office.
His comments come amid rising public attention on the former governor’s recent confrontation with security authorities.
In his post, Omokri recalled incidents of alleged human rights violations and suppression of dissent.
He shared an image of Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, describing his condition as a result of state action during El-Rufai’s administration.
“In addition to reducing Sheikh Zakzaky to such a barbaric and pathetic state, 347 Shia Muslim men, women, children, and infants were massacred under Nasir el-Rufai,” Omokri wrote.
He further alleged that the number of casualties could be higher than officially reported. According to him, unofficial figures placed the death toll close to 1,000.
Omokri also referenced the case of Abubakar Idris, a known critic of the former governor, who he claimed was abducted and later presumed dead.
He added that several journalists and activists were arrested or forced to flee Nigeria during that period.
He named some media practitioners who allegedly faced intimidation for reporting critically on the government.
“Nasir el-Rufai arrested multiple journalists and activists for covering him negatively, including: Jacob Onjewu Dickson, Segun Onibiyo, Midat Joseph and Audu Maikori,” Omokri stated.
He said Audu Maikori eventually escaped to the United States after suffering what he described as severe persecution.
“Audu Maikori had to escape Nigeria for the United States, where I met him, interviewed him, and shuddered in terror at what Nasir El-Rufai did to him,” he wrote.
Omokri also accused the former governor of demolishing properties linked to political opponents. He mentioned assets belonging to Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi and Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir as examples.
Beyond human rights concerns, Omokri raised fresh allegations of large-scale financial misconduct, which El-Rufai should answer questions over the alleged diversion of ₦423 billion during his tenure.
“Nasir el-Rufai is fingered in the alleged theft of ₦423 billion during his tenure by no less a body than the Kaduna State House of Assembly.
He is not above the law or above arrest. He should not resist legal arrest or try to blame others for his alleged crimes,” Omokri wrote.
He dismissed claims that El-Rufai was being politically targeted, stressing that the issue at hand is accountability and respect for the rule of law.
Omokri concluded that the former governor’s past actions should not be ignored simply because he now claims persecution, insisting that justice must take its course.
Recall that tension erupted on Thursday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, involving El-Rufai and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Supporters of the former governor alleged that security agents attempted to arrest him upon his arrival from Cairo. They claimed he resisted because there was no formal warrant or written invitation.
During the incident, DSS operatives reportedly seized his international passport. This action drew protests from bystanders who demanded adherence to due process.
El-Rufai’s legal team later described the move as unlawful and unconstitutional. They demanded the immediate return of his passport and a public apology from the security agency.
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