Coalition Warns Against Prolonged El-Rufai Detention

The Coalition Political Action Committee has asked the Federal Government to either file charges against former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, or release him, warning that prolonged detention without due process could undermine the rule of law.

In a statement signed by its convener, Aminu Datti-Ahmed, the group said the 14-day remand order earlier granted to investigators had expired and should not be used to justify continued detention without formal charges.

The coalition argued that investigative detention under Section 35 of the Constitution is temporary and must lead within a reasonable time to either prosecution before a competent court or the immediate release of the detainee.

“The Federal Government must now do one of two things in the case involving El-Rufai: file formal charges before a court or release the detainee immediately,” the statement said.

According to the group, any attempt to keep the former governor in custody beyond the terms of the remand order without filing charges would amount to a violation of constitutional rights and an abuse of state power.

The coalition also warned that such actions could contravene international human rights obligations, including provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which prohibit arbitrary arrest and detention.

Raising concerns about what it described as a pattern of deploying state institutions against political actors, the group urged opposition leaders to speak out against any perceived attempt to intimidate political opponents.

It specifically called on prominent opposition figures including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Rotimi Amaechi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to defend democratic accountability and the rule of law.

The coalition stressed that the issue goes beyond one individual and touches on the protection of civil liberties in a constitutional democracy.

It added that if the government possesses evidence of wrongdoing, it should present the case before a court, but if not, the law requires that the detainee be released.