El’Rufai’s allies protest, fault continued prosecution of ex-gov

From Okwe Obi, Abuja

Allies of former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El’Rufai, under the banner of Concerned Nigerian Professionals (CNP) and the El’Rufai’s Support Group (ESG) have faulted the ongoing trial of the former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

On the 16 of February, El’Rufai was detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where he spent three days over allegations of corruption. Upon release, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) arraigned him on a 10-count charge bordering on corruption.

But the CNP Convener, Uche Diala, at a press briefing yesterday in Abuja, contended that the continuous detention of the former Kaduna governor questions the propriety of holding citizens in detention while investigations are carried out even for non-capital offences.

Diala stressed that if a former minister could be detained for so long, months to a general election, with minimal communication to the public, it raises serious constitutional concerns for the country’s democracy.

He added that the broader implication of El’Rufai’s ordeal is that it would erode public trust in the institutions, increase politicisation of law enforcement and weaken protection of fundamental human rights.

He, therefore, called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council (NJC) to issue clear practice directions to judges and the court to effectively monitor the activities of Judicial officers so as to protect the integrity of the Judiciary, the rights of Nigerians and the interest of the nation.

“There is an urgent need to ensure the independence of these agencies, and that their actions are guided by the Constitution and the rule of law – prioritising respect for human rights and being scrupulous about ensuring that facts guide investigations rather than political expediency, direction and pressure.

“The agencies should also resist the temptation for indiscriminate arrests and manipulation of judicial processes for unlawfully prolonged detention.

“The rights of Nigerians, including free speech, freedom of association – including political association, and their right to life must be protected.

“Finally, we appeal to President Bola Tinubu that this should not be his legacy.

“As a professed democrat he cannot preside over all these anomalies. He must intervene and ensure that the rule of law and not the rule of might prevails,” he added.