- Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has urged federal and Kaduna State authorities to release former Governor Nasir El-Rufai immediately, describing his detention ahead of Eid-el-Kabir as “cruel and unjustifiable.”
- Atiku, now a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), warned that weaponizing state institutions against political opponents undermines the rule of law and democratic credibility.
- El-Rufai is currently facing a 10-count charge related to alleged money laundering and corruption, though a Federal High Court recently granted him access to medical treatment while in custody.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar on Friday issued a strong condemnation of the continued detention of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, calling for his release before the upcoming Eid celebrations.
Eko Hot Blog reports that in a statement released by his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that keeping the former Kaduna State Governor away from his family during a season of “mercy, reconciliation, and humanity” is inconsistent with democratic principles.
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He emphasized that regardless of political differences, every citizen is entitled to due process and the protection of their civil liberties.
The demand for El-Rufai’s release comes amid an ongoing legal battle where the former governor and his co-defendant, Joel Adoga, are facing charges brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The charges border on the alleged conversion of proceeds of corruption and money laundering.
While both defendants have pleaded not guilty, Atiku cautioned that “selective justice is injustice,” suggesting that the timing and nature of the detention point toward political intimidation rather than a purely legal exercise.
Atiku further challenged the government to be transparent if the detention is indeed part of a legitimate legal process, noting that the credibility of any democracy is measured by how it treats perceived opponents.
Last week, a Federal High Court in Kaduna granted El-Rufai permission to seek medical attention while in custody, following a plea by his legal team.
As the 2027 election cycle approaches and political realignments intensify, the treatment of high-profile figures like El-Rufai continues to spark heated debates regarding the independence of Nigeria’s judicial and investigative bodies.
