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Demands Clarification, Transparency on Detention
- Safiu Kehinde
Former Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has called on the Federal Government to provide clarification on the detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
NPO Reported that the former Kaduna governor, had last week appeared at the EFCC’s headquarters in Abuja where he was detained and probed over alleged financial infractions.
While in detention, the Department of State Services (DSS) would also file a cybercrime lawsuit against him over his admittance of intercepting the phone conversation of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
Shortly after his release by EFCC last week Wednesday, the ICPC picked up the former Kaduna governor for investigation over an undisclosed allegation.
He had since been in the agency’s custody where he allegedly suffered nose bleeding on Monday night.
Reacting to the development in a statement issued on his official X handle on Tuesday, Atiku warned that the Federal Government will be held accountable if anything happens to El-Rufai.
The ex-Vice President charged the FG to confirm which of the agency’s custody is El-Rufai being held as he faulted the denial of access to his family.
“It must state clearly which agency is holding him, whether the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), the State Security Service (SSS), or any other arm of the security establishment. Secrecy in matters of detention only fuels suspicion. Nigerians deserve transparency.
“Whichever agency is responsible has a constitutional duty to guarantee his safety, dignity, access to medical care, and access to his family and legal representatives.
“Reports that he suffered a nosebleed while family members were allegedly denied access are deeply troubling and unacceptable in a democracy.
“If the authorities cannot guarantee his health and fundamental rights, the lawful and humane course of action is to grant him bail without delay.
“If anything happens to El-Rufai, this government will be held accountable.” Atiku said.
The former Peoples Democratic Party’s chieftain further expressed concern over what he labelled selective prosecution of opposition figures.
He maintained that the detention of El-Rufai under the guise of anti-corruption serious questions about motive.
Atiku held that anti-corruption must not be used as political weapon as he called for transparency in justice, accountability, and respect of the rule of law.
“More troubling, however, is the growing perception of selective prosecution, in which opposition figures are aggressively pursued while others are conspicuously shielded from investigation or interrogation.
“Anti-corruption must not become a political weapon. The continued detention of El-Rufai under unclear circumstances raises serious questions about motive.
“Anti-corruption cannot be credible when it appears partisan, coercive, or strategically timed. Justice must be transparent.
“Accountability must be even-handed. And the rule of law must apply to all; without fear, without favour, and without political bias.” He added.