Ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Friday called on federal authorities and the Kaduna State Government to immediately release former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, describing his continued detention before the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations as “cruel, unjustifiable, and deeply troubling.”

Atiku described the situation as a violation of civil liberties, democratic norms and the rule of law, and warned against the use of state institutions to intimidate perceived political opponents.

The position was contained in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.

The former vice president, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, described El-Rufai’s continued detention as politically provocative and inconsistent with the principles of justice and democracy.

He said: “At a time when millions of Muslims across Nigeria and around the world are preparing to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir — a sacred season of sacrifice, compassion, forgiveness, and family reunion — it would be unconscionable for any government to weaponise state power in a manner that denies a citizen his liberty without just cause, particularly in circumstances that raise legitimate concerns about political persecution.

“Eid is a time for mercy, reconciliation, and humanity. There is absolutely no justification for keeping a man away from his family during such a solemn and spiritually significant occasion, especially where due process has not been clearly demonstrated.

“I therefore call for the immediate release of Mallam El-Rufai and urge all relevant authorities to rise above political bitterness and act in the interest of justice, peace, and national cohesion.”

Atiku said the Federal Government and Kaduna State authorities must ensure that democracy is judged by how fairly perceived opponents are treated, warning that selective justice undermines confidence in the rule of law.

He said that if the former Kaduna governor is being detained through a legal process, authorities should be transparent with Nigerians.

“Mallam El-Rufai, regardless of political differences or shifting alliances, remains a Nigerian citizen entitled to the full protection of the Constitution, including his rights to dignity, liberty, and due process.

“Democracy does not grant the government the licence to punish dissent, settle political scores, or deploy coercive institutions as instruments of intimidation.

“The Federal Government and the Kaduna State authorities must understand that selective justice is injustice. The credibility of any democracy is measured not by how it treats loyalists, but by how it treats perceived opponents,” he said.

The demand comes one week after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission announced that a Federal High Court in Kaduna granted El-Rufai access to medical treatment while in custody.

The ruling followed a plea by defence counsel during proceedings in the ongoing trial of the former governor over alleged money laundering and corruption-related offences.

El-Rufai and co-defendant Joel Adoga are facing a 10-count charge before Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court, Kaduna, bordering on alleged conversion and possession of proceeds of corruption, as well as money laundering contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. (Punch News)

•PHOTO: Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar during a solidarity visit to ex-Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai at his residence

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