The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, and a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Dele Momodu, have renewed calls for the release of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who has remained in custody since February. Obi’s media aide, Idris Zekeri, stated that Obi had consistently demanded that El-Rufai’s case be addressed through due process.
El-Rufai has been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission since February amid investigations and separate criminal proceedings. The ICPC has maintained that his detention was authorised by court orders, while El-Rufai has challenged aspects of his continued detention and the proceedings against him.
On Tuesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja reserved ruling on El-Rufai’s no-case submission in the alleged unlawful interception of the telephone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. The court fixed October 26 for the ruling. Similarly, his N1bn fundamental rights suit against the ICPC, Inspector-General of Police and Attorney-General of the Federation was adjourned to October 27.
Momodu, who is the Deputy Director-General of the Atiku Presidential Campaign Council Media and Communications Directorate, criticised the continued detention of the former governor during Friday’s edition of Channels Television’s Morning Brief. He said El-Rufai’s contribution to the emergence of President Bola Tinubu’s administration should not be overlooked.
Momodu also welcomed the ADC’s decision to appoint El-Rufai to a role in its political structure despite his continued detention. He said, “What the ADC has done is to, at least, dignify the man with an appointment. Whether he is able to attend to it or not is immaterial.
Reacting to allegations that El-Rufai pursued divisive politics, particularly during his tenure as Kaduna State governor, Momodu said the former governor had previously enjoyed the support of the same political establishment now critical of him. “Barely four years ago, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai was busy campaigning for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was he not in government then?
The renewed calls came days after El-Rufai addressed the silence of some former associates, friends and family members over his continued detention. In a statement titled ‘My Relationships and the Aftermath’ released on his X handle, the former governor said he bore no hatred or resentment towards those who had chosen not to stand by him.
Key points
- Peter Obi and Dele Momodu have called for the release of Nasir El-Rufai.
- El-Rufai has been in custody since February amid investigations.
- The Federal High Court has reserved ruling on El-Rufai’s no-case submission.
