Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the administration of President Bola Tinubu to clarify the circumstances surrounding the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, warning that the Federal Government would be held accountable if anything happens to him.
In a public statement, Atiku expressed concern over El-Rufai’s health and welfare, urging authorities to disclose which security or anti-graft agency is responsible for his custody and to ensure full compliance with constitutional safeguards, including access to medical care, family members, and legal counsel.
He argued that if the government cannot guarantee those rights, El-Rufai should be granted bail without delay. El-Rufai, according to his aides, has been in custody for over a week following his voluntary appearance before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on February 16, 2026.
He was reportedly transferred days later to the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, with his legal team alleging that no valid remand order has been presented to justify his continued detention beyond the constitutionally permitted 48-hour period without charge. The situation has drawn scrutiny from supporters and legal observers, particularly amid claims of limited access to his family and lawyers.
Atiku, a leading opposition figure and two-time presidential candidate, served as Nigeria’s Vice President from 1999 to 2007 and remains a prominent voice in national politics. His intervention in the matter highlights broader concerns about due process, transparency, and the perception of selective prosecution in Nigeria’s anti-corruption drive.
He maintains that justice must be even-handed and that the rule of law should apply uniformly, without political bias or strategic timing.
#NigeriaPolitics #RuleOfLaw #AntiCorruption #AfricanMedia
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