Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on federal authorities and the Kaduna government to release Nasir el-Rufai, ex-governor of the state, before the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
El-Rufai has been in the custody of the ICPC since 19 February after he was released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He was, however, granted temporary leave to attend his mother’s funeral.
On 13 April, ICPC arraigned el-Rufai at the Kaduna high court on an amended nine-count charge bordering on alleged fraud and abuse of office.
In a statement on Friday by his senior special assistant on public communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the continued detention of the former Kaduna governor as ‘cruel, unjustifiable, and politically motivated’.
He said the development raises concerns about the use of state institutions to intimidate perceived political opponents.
‘At a time when millions of Muslims across Nigeria and around the world are preparing to celebrate Eid 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’, the statement reads.
The former vice-president said el-Rufai, irrespective of political differences, remains entitled to constitutional protections, including liberty and due process.
‘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’, he said.
‘Democracy does not grant the government the licence to punish dissent, settle political scores, or deploy coercive institutions as instruments of intimidation’.
Atiku said the federal and Kaduna state governments must provide transparency if the former governor is being detained through a legitimate legal process.
‘If Mallam El-Rufai is being held on the basis of any legitimate legal process, the authorities owe Nigerians full transparency’, he said.
‘If not, then his continued detention can only reinforce growing fears that our democracy is sliding dangerously toward intolerance and authoritarian excess’.
The former vice-president described Eid as a season of mercy, reconciliation, and family reunion.
‘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’, he said.
Atiku called for the immediate release of el-Rufai and urged authorities to act in the interest of justice and national cohesion.
