EFCC in dilemma over El Rufai

you cannot arrest someone you have not seen...and after you arrest him...what?

Mr. El Rufai will become an instant hero the moment he is arrested or persecuted when he returns. That will signify the beginning of the end of this do-nothing-government. Solution: leave him alone when he returns.

That man is innocent, the fact that he did his job not minding those it affected doesn't make him guilty of abusing office. When will we start appreciating good things NIGERIANS?

A government do nothing...will very much love to do something by arresting the man who did something.....

This man is a hero. He did his work well and now our politician label his a criminal. Look at what Abuja has turned to since he left. He certainly is the most hard working FCT minister ever. That what you get for hardwork in Nigeria. The dedicated ones are being chased around while those looting the country are working around free.

El-RUFAI should be allowed to stay

I have lived in Abuja for the past fives year and much of the time El Rufai was the Minister. I have followed his public service career. He is one wonderful performer and only those who are awed by his achievements will stand up against him -those who know they have no serenity to accept that El Rufai is an achiever they should emulate, who lack courage to learn from him and change their own disposition towards public service to reflect ethical standards and lack the wisdom to know the difference their incompetence and El- Rufai's competent service delivery. Unfortunately, such people are found in every facet of public service - presidency, ministerial appointmentees, legislature (national assembly), government contractors, judiciary. It is shameless of these people to assume that they can kill El-Rufai or his name. The principles he stands for, which we the young want to emulate in public service, will definitely live on

We are a country rule by a law. The law should be allowed to do it business...Nasir El-Rufai's case will put the current claim of this sleeping government's adherence to the rule of law into the litmus test. We must all add our civil voices to urge this Government to direct its security agencies to restrain from doing wrong things...And For Nasir El-Rufai, let pray for his safety, wish him good luck and commend him for his continued service to Nigeria...He has chosen the path to serve the society and its people!

When I read Next I see a paper not willing to last. The tilt of the paper is easily known. I want to read a balanced newspaper and not a politicised, biased newspaper. Next should be very objective in its reportage style and not be given to sensationalisation. El Rufai is corrupt like others and should come home a face his charges. Why villify one corrupt politician and exonerate another. Corruption is corruption whether committed by a friend or foe.

EFCC,you have no right to arrest whom people does not arrest.look inward an see those you need to arrest.

i love this man!!! if we can have people in government that will make so much changes in 4 years like elrufai then we will not be where we are now! just come home sir!

I admire his courage and I'm a full supporter. The powers that be and their annoying behaviour on this matter is disgusting. Godspeed El-Rufai!

If he has any case to answer. The full weight of the law should be applied. I am at loss why the Yar dua government is jittery. Has El rufai lied in any way about the state of the nation...NO. If he has questions concerning his tenure as FCT minister, Let them follow due process.

One of the biggest bandits in Nigerian history is under your nose EFCC, and you cannot pick him up. Yet you are deliberating on a man who is not even in the country. Pick up James Ibori....then you can pick up anybody. As simple as that. Looks like EFCC are puppets...dummies... Next...what happened to your site yesterday...comments on The scoundrel Ibori were not published. Has he settled you??

While I appreciate El-Refai's civil excellence especially as shown in his level of zeal, determination and commitment throughout his tenure as the FCT minister, we may not be outrightly certain if there really is no allegations against him. His showing up adds more credence to his personality. The prosecutors should go ahead to lay charges; especially with genuine proof, we'll all watch with earnestness to see how event turn out. But I just want to believe the gentle man has no skeleton in his cupboard, I'll personally be disappointed in him.

this man elrufai is a very brave man.if i had 70% respect for him before,now it is 110%!...He is proving his mettle as a man not given to fear of initmidation.God will protect him.

If I were to be El-Rufai, the best thing I will do is to follow the case logically and legally. Anything otherwise will still make him not enjoy his freedom as enshrined and guaranteed by the Nigerian constitution.

If El-Rufai ever goes to jail, that would be great! That way we'll be justified to march on all the government houses and legislatures, plus the offices of the thieving civil servants, drag them unto the streets,and bury them alive in a mass grave. My point is this: El-Rufai is no angel. There's no way, El-Rufai did his job (take note Aliero - he DID) without making mistakes, knowingly or unknowingly. That's what naturally happens to people who get things done, unlike those who don't do "jack" under the guise of the rule-of-law! (Frankly, I pity Yar'Adua for having nincompoops in his cabinet). So, EFCC please arrest and prosecute El-Rufai and we pray he is convicted, so that the other scumbags will get what's coming. We will be watching and waiting on the sidelines!

Ya'ardua's personal life symbolises the contraction that is his government. You are probably terminally; it will most probably take divine intervention to spare your life; you and other people are praying to God to spare your life; but you go about or allow your agents to go about persecuting innocent and just people like El-Rufai and Ribadu. It is dumber than dumb to expect God to answer your prayer when you are wilfully breaking the conditions under which God might answer your prayer. Typical Nigerian leadership thinking.

I wil consider Mr El_Rufai an indeed an hero or an innocent until he honours d invitation of the EFCC since he has been declared wanted.Mr El Rufai should,go and clear himself.he is welcome to nigeria amytime.God bless nigeria.

I wil consider Mr El_Rufai an indeed an hero or an innocent until he honours d invitation of the EFCC since he has been declared wanted.Mr El Rufai should,go and clear himself.he is welcome to nigeria amytime.God bless nigeria.

THIS IS A VERY SIMPLE CASE. IF eL-RUFAI HAS A PENDING INVITATION TO HONOUR LET HIM DO SO,IF HE HAS ISSUES TO RESOLVE LET HIM ADDRESS THEM WITH THE AUTHORITIES. HE IS A NIGERIAN AND HAS A RIGHT TO EXERCISE TO THE FULLIEST HIS FOUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT.

during his time in office, all that filled the airwaves was his competent adventure. he has done notin wrong in serving d government rightfully. Why does our government sees right as wrong and wrong as right? This Why nigeria remain static. leave him alone let him be.

Let us ask ourselves, is Abuja better now than when El-Rufai was the minister?, check for yourselves. To me the answer is no. So what are we talking about? When he comes we will hear when he started becoming corrupt, and if he is, fine the law should take its course. But for even thinking of coming i hope the EFCC knows what they are doing.

Haba Haba! NEXT has goofed with its headline. Where is the evidence of EFCC's dilemna? According to EFCC spokesman, "He has a case to answer. He has a pending invitation, his matter is already before the courts,”. So where is the dilemna? Because he refused to tell you what their plans are? Have the Metropolitan Police confirmed to you that they will arrest Ibori or Edevbie if they stepped into the UK? Come on, try responsible journalism for a change. We know that you are beholden to El-rufai but please spare us any sanctimony that you are anything but given to spin doctoring. Aluta! Gwobezentashi

Whatever his preceived shortcomings while in office, Rufai remains the best FCT minister ever. Are we not witnesses of the decay, rot and lethargy that have all returned to Abuja?

Put on your thinking cap, Nigerians. If any government slaps a label on you, it sticks. Not because the label is correct. But because the government slaps it on. In other words, the label sticks because it HAS to stick since it is the government that slaps it on. They have the resources and would mobilise all their resources to make the label stick. You guys should know better.

This government hates the best this country has to offer. This government glorifies and promotes mediocres. El-Rufai, OBJ and Ribadu remain my heroes. God bless you all. We will certainly take over this country someday

All I know is that should El-Rufai face persecution and be thrown in jail on dubious charges that would be nothing compared to what the likes of Ibori should be facing, Nigerians will simply throw their hands in the air for a few minutes, mutter something like 'Na wa for this Nigeria' and then go on their way. Nigerians do NOT collectively stand up for what they believe in, and do NOT actively and practically support the few that actually do have the conviction to stand up to the system.

ANDOOAKA IS AN EDUCATED ILLITERATE LAWYER,DOES HE MEAN THAT ITS THE DUTY OF THE SENATE TO INVETIGATE MATTERS OF CORRUPTION?HE HAS SUCCEEDED IN INCAPACITATING AGENCIES THAT INVESTIGATE CORRUPTION ONLY TO GIVE THE SENATE KUDOS FOR MEDDLESOME INTERLOPING,WHAT AN AG!THE ONLY AG THAT SUPPORTS AND DEFENDS CROOKS.THE SENATE OR SHOULD I SAY THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY HAS BECOME A PLACE WHERE JOBLESS MEN AND WOMEN ARE ASSEMBLED IN THE GREATEST NUMBER FOR PURPOSES OF COLLECTING OR FLEECING THE NATIONAL MONIES,GOD HELP US.

NEXT! U GUYS SHOULD LEARN TO STOP PAINTING PICTURES THAT ARE A FIGMENT OF YOUR IMAGINATION! where u there to see them confused? El rufai has a case to answer, let him answer it and stop all this human activist/nonsense abeg, go home and face the music! shikena

Nigerians I have just one question. Is any Nigerian above the law? How did El Rufai and Ribadu execute their duties? Did they not rely on the law of the land? let the law take its course. All these bla bla bla of hero or villian will not alter any thing in the face of the law. They should return to Nigeria and face the law.

Cowards die many times before their death period.

@ Akin Atan and 'Positive Nigerian'.... You seem to have Great Faith in this 'law of the land' dont you? We all know the ideal, and majority of Nigerians KNOW we are faaaaaaaaaar from the ideal. So for you and ...*ahem...* Mr 'Positive Nigerian' to have complete and unquestioning faith in the Nigerian 'Rule of law' under, of all people, Mr Aaandoka , is to deny that Nigeria is one of those rare places where The Innocent are guilty and The Guilty are innocent. So its easy for una to ask El-Rufai to rush himself home and 'face the courts'. I wish I shared your Great Faith. Or maybe it only applies to others, but should YOU (or your loved ones) be in his position, you might be less enthusiastic? One wonders.

let him return and we watch yet another comedy but let our leadres know that the younger generations are watching...be warned!

It is clear Nigeria sees a man and a leader in you. The Government keep washing their dirty linen in public. There is so much fuss about picking mallam El Rufai up. The accusations are so watery and almost pointless. Yet Mr. billionaire Ibori is the Government's best friend. This is a test of our nations chance to prove they have a brain for foreign policy and diplomacy. if El Rufai is picked up which i suspect he would, then they have learnt nothing at all. By the way @innocent, where did you get ur proof of his corrupt sins? El Rufai actually seized a piece of land that cost me a fortune but i will always say he meant well for Nigeria. I know how you would have prepared your mind for this moment. You are stronger than ever. God is preparing you for something great and you will get it.

We like to deceive ourselves alot. What evil has El-Rufai done? Those hardened criminals who were in Government and those still in government, what have they done to them, they still go round parade the looted funds, without EFCC or Andooaka charging them to court.

Its not the senate that prosecutes. What the hell is wrong with this joker of an AG. Let the courts along with EFCC do their job. Lets leave politics and schemes out of this issue between el-Rufai and Govt. may the best lawyers win. Remember OBJ and Atiku in their warring days. The law took its course. If el Rufai is found corrupt and guilty, he will see his waterloo soonest.

na wah Oh! It is easy to sieve through the shades of opinion of Nigerians and not help but be amazed at the inconsistency of opinion and the obvious consequence that the route out of the country's present maladies will not be found soon. All the pro el Rufai comments here are based on what premise? If it is on the premise that ya Ardua and his government are no good and therefore not competent to prosecute anyone for crimes, that will be a little plausible but not entirely correct. But the suggestion that el Rufai did no wrong and was one of the best ministers, is ridiculous and absurd! Minister appointed by who and under whose government? El rufai's agenda in Abuja was to restore the abuja master plan. That was very laudable indeed. But the restoration was going to be upon revocation of land legitimately acquired from the government by citizens who subsequently built on the lands in a lot of cases. Upon the said revocation, he sent in buldozers to destroy the structures on those lands. Please note: we are not talking of illegal structures here, because these lands were legitimately acquired from the government by the individuals concerned. Did el rufai pay them compensation? When a lot of them went to court to challenge the demolition and obtained court orders to stop the demolition did el rufai obey the orders? What eventually happened to the lands reacquired? He re allocated them, did'nt he? to whom? How many of these did he allocate to his friends and associates? How many did he allocate to Obj and his assemblage of brigands parading as PDP members? There might be some mischief in the report that EFCC wants to prosecute him. But not in the nature of any threat to his wretched life or person! If he has information that he is wanted, he should play the true hero and present himself for prosecution. If he has nothing to hide it will be manifest in his defence. If he is unjustly prosecuted, we will rise up in his support. There is something however devious and mischievous in him announcing that he is returning home in December if he is not merely seeking cheep publicity. In what esteem did he hold the court and its processes while he was minister? Let him return and show that it is an institution he respects. Let him rest assured, he is important enough for the courts not to take the risk of playing any funny games with any matter concerning him. The only thing he has to worry about is if he thinks he will go the way of Bode George!

mallam nasiru did very well,but the truth remains thesame he should come home to face corrupt charges against him.Must all our leaders be corrupt?God will save us from their hands soonest.

Nuhu Ribadu was being accused of going after Obasanjo's enemies during his time,but now Farida and his corrupt boss Aondoakaa is running after this fine ex-FCT Minister Mallam El-Rufai who served this country diligently.Let Farida Waziri tell Nigerians how she acquired her land in Abuja.Efcc now under Farida Waziri is very corrupt and she should leave El-Rufai alone.Let her prosecute all the corrupt ex-Governors first instead of looking for El-Rufai to prosecute.Efcc is running after El-Rufai because of the Lands of some of the Senators that he revoked and they are all out to punish him.El-Rufai is not a Corrupt person.

hey, let him that has not done so, cast the first stone. Abuja was better with El Rufai than what it is now. there was sense of purpose and direction. his offence is that he is not a politician, the nigerian type.

@Aaron Imoni; "God will save us"; "God help us"; "God will judge" bla bla bla. When will Nigerians take their destiny into their own hands and DO SOMETHING, instead of waiting for God to do everything? Maybe the trouble with Nigeria is too much 'Waiting for God'. 'Faith without works is nothing' I believe the Good Book says. Meanwhile, Fela once sang: " My people fear too much; the air around us; the things they can't even see. 'I dont wanna die, I dont wanna get hurt; I wanna build a house; I wanna enjoy". I don't think Mallam Nasiru is waiting for anyone to 'save us from their hands'. Thank God!

UnklGee, there is no inconsistency of opinion. Only a difference of opinion; and this is natural because it is impossible to be neutral about people like el-Rufai. Say what you will, he was certainly one of Obasanjo's best Ministers. His record in BPE and FCT will be very hard to equal. As for his revocations, let's not forget that the Abuja Master Plan is underpinned by legislation - the FCT Act and the Urban Planning Act. To deviate from it requires administrative and legislative processes that were totally ignored by successive Ministers, usually for personal gain. So, one argument would be that nobody can gain a legitimate right based on an illegality. On the other hand, what do we do if the wrongdoer is the Government. Nasir considered these things and, not having the luxury of being able to wash his hands and dodge responsibility like Pontius Pilate, he took a decision. I believe his decision was right but many would not agree. As for allocating land to his friends and relatives, your argument holds up if they turn out not to be Nigerians and/or if they obtained land in spite of the rules relating to payment and allocation. They also said he misappropriated 32 billion and engaged in other corrupt practices. I know for a fact that he respected the courts and took his official actions ONLY after due legal advice (not many people know that he studied law too). In any case, he is coming back, he will answer to the charges and amidst all the noise, the truth will slowly emerge. I do hope when that happens, our President will be in office, because all this is happening at his instigation.

why dem no go dey unsure of themselves when e don concern hausa sacred cow

There is no doubt that El Rufai stepped of many big toes when he was FCT Minister;that is why all the trump up charges are being winded round his neck.The property of Senator Sadongi was affected who incidentally is the Chairman of Senate Committe for FCT;Hamadu Ali - former PDP Chairman was equally affected and many other powerful people.Connecting all this together;one can easily deduce where all this threat is coming from. It is a fact that El Rufai restored sanity, orderliness and enforcement of the Abuja master plan which some people saw as being offensive to them because they think that they can do whatever they liked. We are watching how EFCC will go about this issue.

I still cannot understand this country, honestly the more you read about her the less you understand. El Rufai, as far as i know, a man of great intelligence and principle is the man being looked for by the Federal Government through their mouthpiece, Mr. Aaandoka. And also searching for Mr. Ribadu, when the big cat in person of Ex Gov. Onanefe Ibori, is walking a free man around town with all the allegations not only from Nigeria but from far away Britain dangling around his neck. Wonders shall never end. I so much believe in the rule of law, that is what makes human civilization different from the animal kingdom, so therefore, before El Rufai comes back, why cant we make do with what we have; let us start with Ibori who is in Nigeria and if the need be, let us take him back to Britain to face the music and wait till El Rufai comes back, at least what is good for the goose is also a sauce for the gander. Who know may be through El Rufai's incarceration our own revolution might start, who knows...... God bless our nation.

El-Rufai hero? Then Abacha is a siant. This is man that sold Abuja house and land with Jimmy Lawal the man that killed Alpha Merchant Bank. Let El-Rufai tell the source of his wealth, let him tell the number of plot he owes in Abuja, let tell about the Dutch compamy that bought NITEL when he was in BPE, this is a man that wrote with his hands that he told Ribadu to drop corrupt charges aginst YarAdua. El-Rufai is neither a hero, revolutionary or a friend of the masses. The reason why he is fighting the government is because he was not not made minister of petroluem. NEXT we know El-Rufai, stop calling Soludo a thief and El-Rufai a siant

hahahaha! this is too funny, i cant be bothered to answer people who specifically, attacked my opinion, after all, mayb some people who benefited from el rufai's property allocation agenda are commenting here, that man gave his family, friends property/land illegally, and should face the law, when all the facts are presented for all to see, then some people will eat their words!

MY FELLOW NIGERIANS,I WILL PREFEREBLE SAY THAT THIS NEW YARADUA REGIM IS NOT LIKE THE PAST REGIM,LETS LEAVE THE PAST AND FOCUS ON THE FUURE,THOSE THAT OFFENDERED US HAVE PLEADED EVEN THOUGH THEY DID NOT MAKE IT OPENLY,LETS FORGET THEM,AND CONCENTRATE.

HAVE THEY ARRESTED ODILI?

what does it take for a southerner to be made minister of fcta?

Nigerians lets look with our eyes opened. I am yet to see a Nigerian politician that is an honest person. That's why they want El Rufai arrested so they can come out and say they are untouchable. Because he did his job without fear and favor regardless of who you are. he did the right thing so should be left alone. if only our leaders where half like him NIGERIA will be a better place. he should be left alone and likes of LUCKY IGBENEDION, JAMES IBORI, PETER ODILI, and lots more should be arrested and left there.

Advice your heroes to come back to mother land and defend themselves in court.You can help them by forming a pressure group, sew Asoebi and carry placards all over Nigeria.If you are not many, rent a crowd like Bode did.

El Rufai told Nigerians how he, OBJ, Ribadu, Ibori produced this present government. Why are they abusing Yaa’ Adua at any given opportunity since they ceased to be part of this government? Men of honor don’t behave that way. Could it be that they were not compensated for bringing this government to power?

El Rufai and Ribadu should read Matthew 7: 2 which says "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you".

Even if someone is the best minister in Nigeria, best anti curruption fighter in the world, best this and best that, such one should be ready to give account of ones stewardship. Tell them to stop running and come back home.

Omo Alhaja, I doff my hat for you o o o. You be the best defence lawyer for El Rufai. But you must do that in a court o oo. Carry go

People like Aondoakaa should not talk about someone being corrupt at all. He is one of the most corrupt public officers Nigeria has produced in history. El-Rufai should have soughted him through the Minister's younger brother Ordoo Aondoakaa and the rest would have been history. The evil that men do live after them Aondoakaa beware. Leave El-Rufai alone and face your godfather James Ibori please and God will bless ou if you do this.

While I do not have facts to contest the Government's claim against El-Rufai but the fact remains that He is clearly targeted because I cannot understand why many other corrupt people in govt are not declared wanted and their cases treated with half as much efforts. I will advise the govt to go ahead to arrest him but they can be sure to make an Hero out of Him and that is what will happen.As 2011 draws near,attacking El-Rufai who is perceived to be a performer will be the last straw for the govt. Please go ahead.

el rufai, a hero already, a political hero with a clear distinct, he is a collosus that doesnt fear a corrupt leader, he is well respected in and outside nigeria, weather the efcc backed by the yardua govet cooked up allegations agains this man or not, rufai has won credits and respect of positive thinking nigerians and the world generally, go ahead and arrest him ,let him join bode george in kirikiri, you are simply making him a hero and the image of the government being plundered, he is a performer and Abuja would have been in sorry state without this man as fct officer, i dont even know the name of the officer in charge now, funny, i dont think so, he isnt performing, we need underground metro in abuja, or even light trains there or atleast fast train, come to beijin and shanghai , china and see modern mega, advanced, hi tech city style of distinctive development, If el rufai is retained, Abuja would have wear more modern look, crucify this sincere man and make a hero out of him, we have so many worrying cases resting on the shoulder of the government and the efcc is busy ruing after a performer and a nice public officer who disposes his duties very prudently without bending to the wishes of the top politicians at the expences of the masses and the capital city , the president is sick with terminal diseases, i think the best thing for the president is to show loyalty to the spirit of his duties and offices he hold and simply resign to attend to his challenging health. will, he?, i dont think so, greedy leaders, the younger generations is hot and warning, the hand written is clear, danger on the prowl, old , greedy politicians, be warned, El rufai is part of this younger amiable generations, he doesnt see things from your perspective, he is visionary, let him be.

I dont know wich kind of country nigeria is?.d moment u do ur job while u are occupying a position without any fear or favour.and may mr b was afected by some of policies passed.d moment a friend or family take over a sensitive position den mr wil like to retaliate.dats exactly wat is hapening to elrufai and ribadu.

If Rufai likes,let him employ all newspaers in Nigeria to launder his image,anytime he steps into Nigeria,he will not only answer questions in the court,he will answer questions on the streets of Abuja,from the commonman whose houses he demolished and whose confiscated land he gave to his relatives,wives and children.

As for me I still wonder why these men are being chased around whereas their chief instigator (he who they worked for) still enjoys 100% freedom. Isn't that funny? it's shameful how Nigerians embarrass ourselves in particular and Democracy in general. If the EFCC is too scared to bring the grandmaster (ex-president) to book then let them leave his ex-servants alone, and save time and money.