ICPC: ADC To Petition Amnesty International, Others For El-Rufai’s Release

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday said the continued detention of former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) is a violation of fundamental human rights.

ADC said the former governor, a leader of its party, has been in ICPC custody for over 30 days.

It therefore vowed to petition the Amnesty International and other human rights groups if El-Rufai is not released immediately.

The ICPC, on Tuesday, clarified the legal status of former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai.

The commission explained in a statement by its spokesperson, Okor Odey, in Abuja, that his continued detention was based on an existing court order and not a new directive.

But, in a statement, the ADC national spokesman, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, described the detention as illegal and unconstitutional, alleging attempts to coerce El-Rufai into abandoning his political choice, and called on the ICPC to uphold the rule of law by immediately releasing El-Rufai from custody to enable him to prepare his own defence.

The party maintained that detaining  a citizen interminably is the hallmark of dictatorship and has no place in a democracy.

The party declared that the continued violation of the fundamental rights of Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai is a stain on the conscience of democracy and a dangerous descent into lawlessness by the Bola Tinubu-led government.

“Thirty-two days ago, the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, honoured an invitation by the EFCC in good faith, an act that should define a law-abiding citizen in a democratic society.

“Two days after his release, he was taken again, this time by the ICPC. Today, more than 30 days later, he remains in custody without arraignment, without formal charges, and under conditions that, by his own account include, restrictions from his family members and doctor; and coercion to abandon his political rights and associations as the price for his freedom.

“Let us be clear, this is not law enforcement. This is the weaponisation of state institutions against political participation. It is illegal. It is unconstitutional. It is an affront to the very idea of Nigeria as a democratic country.”

The party said freedom is not a privilege that is granted at the pleasure of the executive branch but a right that is guaranteed by the Constitution.