Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has urged federal authorities and the Kaduna State Government to release former Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai, describing his continued detention as unfair and troubling.
Atiku made the call on Friday, May 15, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, where he criticised the timing of El-Rufai’s detention ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
He said: “At a time when millions of Muslims across Nigeria and around the world are preparing to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir — a sacred season of sacrifice, compassion, forgiveness, and family reunion — it would be unconscionable for any government to weaponise state power in a manner that denies a citizen his liberty without just cause, particularly in circumstances that raise legitimate concerns about political persecution.
“Eid is a time for mercy, reconciliation, and humanity. There is absolutely no justification for keeping a man away from his family during such a solemn and spiritually significant occasion, especially where due process has not been clearly demonstrated.
“I therefore call for the immediate release of Mallam El-Rufai and urge all relevant authorities to rise above political bitterness and act in the interest of justice, peace, and national cohesion.”
The former vice president described the situation as a breach of civil liberties and democratic principles, warning against the use of state institutions to target perceived political opponents.
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He stressed that authorities must uphold fairness and transparency, particularly if the detention is based on legal proceedings.
“Mallam El-Rufai, regardless of political differences or shifting alliances, remains a Nigerian citizen entitled to the full protection of the Constitution, including his rights to dignity, liberty, and due process.
“Democracy does not grant the government the licence to punish dissent, settle political scores, or deploy coercive institutions as instruments of intimidation.
“The Federal Government and the Kaduna State authorities must understand that selective justice is injustice. The credibility of any democracy is measured not by how it treats loyalists, but by how it treats perceived opponents,” he said.
El-Rufai, alongside co-defendant Joel Adoga, is facing a 10-count charge before Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Kaduna, bordering on alleged conversion and possession of proceeds of corruption, as well as money laundering contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.