El-Rufai’s ADC Ally Faults ‘Denial Of Bail’, Questions Judiciary

A former member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly representing Zaria City Constituency and 2027 African Democratic Congress (ADC) flag bearer for Zaria Federal Constituency Hon. Suleiman Ibrahim Dabo, has criticised the continued ‘denial of bail’ to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, describing it as a troubling development for Nigeria’s democracy and rule of law.

Dabo spoke on Tuesday evening at the Kaduna State High Court in Kaduna following the adjournment of the corruption case instituted against El-Rufai by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

He said he arrived at the court premises as early as 7 a.m. and waited until the former governor arrived at about 11:50 a.m., adding that El-Rufai left the premises at approximately 8:50 p.m.

Although he said he was unable to enter the courtroom to observe the proceedings, Dabo explained that he received information about the session from one of the lawyers involved in the case.

“I can’t say anything about the nitty-gritty of the case because I’m not a lawyer and I wasn’t in the court session.

“But what I know for a fact is that eventually, justice will prevail,” he said.

Dabo, however, questioned the decision to ‘deny’ the former governor bail, arguing that El-Rufai had voluntarily returned to Nigeria despite being aware that authorities were looking for him.

“What I want to put straight to the larger audience is for them to know that when Malam was alleged to have committed these offences they are charging him for, in the beginning, Malam was outside Nigeria, and he knew that they were looking for him.

“He voluntarily came back to Nigeria, surrendered himself, took himself for investigation, but this kind of personality, a statesman, has been denied bail in Nigeria,” he said.

The ADC chieftain also expressed concern over the judiciary, describing it as one of the major challenges confronting Nigeria’s democracy and governance.

He said some prominent legal practitioners had criticised the treatment of the former governor, arguing that it was inconsistent with democratic principles and the rule of law.

Dabo further warned that the handling of the case could send a negative signal to younger generations about the country’s political culture and democratic institutions.

“Politics and governance are pendulums. They swing, and we are waiting for the nearest future,” he said.

He added that the experience could influence how younger politicians and supporters of El-Rufai perceive the country’s democratic process.

The court proceedings followed earlier legal developments involving El-Rufai, including a challenge to the denial of bail and a request for the presiding judge to recuse himself from the case.

Dabo said he understood that the case had been adjourned to November 30 and December 1, although he did not personally witness the proceedings inside the courtroom.