FG WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO EL-RUFAI- ATIKU
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Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar stated that the federal government would be responsible if anything happened to Nasir el-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna state.
El-Rufai went to the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16 at their request. However, on February 18, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) took the former Kaduna governor into custody after he was released by the EFCC.
The anti–graft agencies are investigating Nasir el-Rufai for suspected financial misconduct while he was governor of Kaduna state from 2015 to 2023.
On Monday, Muyiwa Adekeye, who works with el-Rufai, said it has been eight days since the former governor was taken into custody.
He also mentioned that el-Rufai had a nosebleed during the night while he was being held.
Adekeye stated that el-Rufai’s lawyers have not been given any official document allowing his continued detention past 48 hours without being charged.
He mentioned that el-Rufai’s legal team and family are having trouble getting access to him while he is in detention.
In a post on X, Abubakar responded by saying that el-Rufai’s health and well–being are a major worry for his family, friends, and people connected to him.
He said the federal government owes Nigerians clarity and must state clearly which agency is holding el-Rufai, among the EFCC, ICPC, the State Security Service (SSS), or any other security agency.
“Secrecy in matters of detention only fuels suspicion. Nigerians deserve transparency,” Abubakar said.
“Whichever agency is responsible has a constitutional duty to guarantee his safety, dignity, access to medical care, and access to his family and legal representatives.”
Abubakar said if the government agencies cannot guarantee el-Rufai’s health and fundamental rights, the lawful and humane course of action is to grant him bail without delay.
“If anything happens to El-Rufai, this government will be held accountable,” he warned.
“More troubling, however, is the growing perception of selective prosecution, in which opposition figures are aggressively pursued while others are conspicuously shielded from investigation or interrogation.”
He said anti-corruption must not become a political weapon, noting that el-Rufai’s continued detention under “unclear circumstances” raises serious questions about motive.
According to him, anti-corruption cannot be credible when it appears partisan, coercive, or strategically timed.
He said justice must be transparent and accountability must be even-handed, while the rule of law “must apply to all; without fear, without favour, and without political bias”.
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