Hajiya Asia El-Rufai, second wife of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has raised an alarm over alleged surveillance and threats to her family’s safety.
Via a post made on her Facebook page, Asia claimed she and the former governor’s youngest wife, Aishatou El-Rufai, are being tracked and monitored.
“They are following me and Aisattou, let the world know that if anything happens to us the Government should explain. Our phones are bugged… our lives are in danger!” she wrote.
Her alarm comes as El-Rufai remains in detention over corruption charges and battles multiple legal cases.
The former governor’s troubles began on February 12, 2026, when DSS operatives reportedly tried to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja as he returned from Egypt. That same day, the ICPC invited him for questioning.
Speaking on Arise TV after the airport incident, El-Rufai accused National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu of ordering his arrest. He claimed he had intercepted and wiretapped the NSA’s private communications.
On February 16, El-Rufai walked into EFCC headquarters in Abuja over allegations of financial misconduct during his time as Kaduna governor. He spent two days in EFCC custody before he was moved to the ICPC on February 18. His home on Aso Drive was also searched.
His lawyers filed a fundamental rights suit to challenge his detention. But the cases piled up. In April 2026, the ICPC arraigned him before the Kaduna State High Court on nine counts of advance fee fraud, money laundering, and procurement violations. He was remanded in custody.
Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Kaduna granted him ₦200 million bail on April 14 with strict conditions. A separate bail bid at the Kaduna State High Court failed, with the judge citing concerns about his political influence.
The trial has since stalled over procedural delays and issues with co-defendants. On June 15, the Federal High Court in Kaduna adjourned the case to June 24, 2026.
For now, El-Rufai remains in detention while his family alleges threats to their safety.
