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By Philip Nwosu
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the Federal Government would be held accountable if anything happens to the former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, amid his ongoing detention by anti-graft agencies.
el-Rufai had voluntarily presented himself at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16 following an invitation. Two days later, he was taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) after being released by the EFCC.
The anti-corruption agencies are reportedly probing alleged financial improprieties during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023.
In a statement, Muyiwa Adekeye, media aide to el-Rufai, said the former governor had been in detention for eight days and suffered an overnight nosebleed while in custody. He added that the legal team had not been presented with any remand order authorising detention beyond 48 hours without charge and was facing difficulties gaining access to him.
Reacting via a post on X, Abubakar described el-Rufai’s health and welfare as a matter of grave concern. He called on the Federal Government to clarify which agency, the EFCC, the ICPC and the Department of State Service (DSS) or any other security body, is currently holding him.
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“Secrecy in matters of detention only fuels suspicion. Nigerians deserve transparency,” Abubakar said.
He stressed that whichever agency is responsible has a constitutional duty to guarantee el-Rufai’s safety, dignity, access to medical care and access to family members and legal representatives.
Abubakar further stated that if the government cannot guarantee his fundamental rights, he should be granted bail without delay.
“If anything happens to el-Rufai, this government will be held accountable,” he warned.
The former vice-president also raised concerns about what he described as growing perceptions of selective prosecution, alleging that opposition figures are being targeted while others are shielded from investigation.
He maintained that anti-corruption efforts must not be used as a political tool, adding that justice must be transparent, even-handed and free of political bias.
