Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has criticised the Federal Government over what he says is the increasing reliance on illegal detentions across the country, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic foundations.
El-Rufai made the remarks on Thursday, the 22nd of January, 2026, in Abuja while delivering a speech at the 23rd Annual Trust Dialogue, where he expressed concern that actions of state authorities were steadily diminishing public confidence in governance.
According to him, the justice system is meant to safeguard the rights and liberties of citizens, not to become an instrument of fear or oppression. He cautioned that arbitrary arrests and prolonged detentions without judicial backing are incompatible with democratic norms.
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“The law should protect citizens, not terrify them like what is happening in Nigeria. Detention without court order must end,” El-Rufai said.
He further argued that holding individuals without due process amounts to a breach of fundamental human rights and runs contrary to the rule of law as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution.
The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory also warned that societies cannot progress when security agencies act beyond the limits of the law, noting that the abuse of state power to harass or silence citizens ultimately weakens democratic institutions and accountability.