Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Friday urged federal authorities and the Kaduna State Government to release former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai without delay, describing his continued detention ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations as cruel, unjustified and deeply disturbing. Atiku said the development raises serious concerns about civil liberties, democratic principles and adherence to the rule of law, warning against the use of state institutions to target perceived political opponents.
His position was contained in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu. The former vice president and leading figure in the African Democratic Congress described El-Rufai’s detention as politically charged and inconsistent with the ideals of justice and democracy. He noted that as Muslims across Nigeria and the world prepare for Eid-el-Kabir, a sacred period marked by sacrifice, compassion, forgiveness and family reunion, it would be unacceptable for any government to deprive a citizen of liberty without just cause, particularly under circumstances that suggest political persecution.
Atiku stressed that Eid represents a time for mercy, reconciliation and humanity, insisting there was no justification for keeping El-Rufai away from his family during such an important spiritual occasion, especially where due process has not been clearly established. He called for the immediate release of the former governor and urged relevant authorities to rise above political grievances in the interest of justice, peace and national unity.
According to him, the Federal Government and Kaduna State authorities must recognise that democracy is measured by how fairly perceived opponents are treated, warning that selective justice weakens public confidence in the rule of law. He further stated that if El-Rufai’s detention is based on lawful judicial proceedings, authorities owe Nigerians full transparency regarding the circumstances. Atiku emphasised that regardless of political disagreements or shifting alliances, El-Rufai remains a Nigerian citizen entitled to constitutional protections, including dignity, liberty and due process.
He warned that democracy does not give any government the authority to punish dissent, settle political scores or deploy coercive institutions as tools of intimidation. The former vice president maintained that the credibility of any democratic system lies not in how it treats loyalists but in how it handles perceived opponents. His demand comes a week after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission announced that a Federal High Court in Kaduna granted El-Rufai access to medical treatment while in custody.
The ruling followed an application by defence counsel during proceedings in the ongoing trial involving allegations of money laundering and corruption-related offences. El-Rufai and his co-defendant, Joel Adoga, are currently facing a 10-count charge before Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Kaduna over alleged conversion and possession of proceeds of corruption, as well as money laundering under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges. The case continues as calls for transparency and adherence to due process grow louder.
Source: https://punchng.com/
