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From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has warned against turning the continued detention of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, into political persecution, urging the authorities to respect his constitutional rights and adhere strictly to due process.
The council, however, said it neither supports nor condones criminality by anyone, stressing that the fight against crime must itself be conducted within the confines of the law.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its Secretary-General, Nafi’u Baba-Ahmad, the SCSN expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding El-Rufai’s continued detention, particularly what it described as the apparent difficulty in meeting his bail conditions.
“Like every Nigerian, Malam Nasir El-Rufai is entitled to his fundamental rights and is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction,” the council said.
It maintained that due process, fair hearing and lawful detention were fundamental principles of constitutional democracy which must apply to every citizen, irrespective of status or political affiliation.
“The pursuit of justice must itself be just,” the SCSN said, warning that actions perceived as arbitrary, politically motivated or inconsistent with established legal procedures could erode public confidence in state institutions.
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The council urged the relevant authorities to ensure that all actions concerning El-Rufai’s detention were carried out “strictly within the confines of the Constitution and all extant laws,” with due process observed at every stage.
It also cautioned against actions capable of being perceived as politically motivated persecution and urged the authorities to demonstrate “an unwavering commitment to fairness, transparency, and the rule of law.”
According to the council, Nigeria’s unity and long-term stability depend largely on the credibility of its institutions and the confidence citizens repose in them.
“Justice must not only be done but must be manifestly seen to be done,” it said, adding that consistent, impartial and lawful application of justice remained “the strongest safeguard for national cohesion and sustainable development.”
The SCSN called on all stakeholders to exercise restraint and responsibility, insisting that the rule of law must apply equally to all Nigerians “irrespective of status, political affiliation, or personal disposition.”
It reiterated its commitment to justice, protection of fundamental rights and promotion of peaceful coexistence across the country.
