Ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Federal Government to provide clarity on the detention of a former Kaduna Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, amid reports of health complications and restricted access to family and lawyers.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Atiku described the situation as “a matter of grave concern to his family, friends, and associates.”
He emphasised that “the Federal Government owes Nigerians clarity. It must state clearly which agency is holding him, whether the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, the State Security Service, or any other arm of the security establishment.”
Atiku warned that “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.”
The statement follows allegations by Muyiwa Adekeye, media aide to El-Rufai, that the former governor suffered a nosebleed while in EFCC custody.
Adekeye said El-Rufai was interrogated and later granted administrative bail, but remained in detention as his legal team sought a variation of the bail conditions.
He added, “The lawyers and family have not been shown any remand order authorising detention beyond 48 hours without charge, and they had difficulties in securing access to him in detention.”
Adekeye further alleged that on February 17, “one of his wives was not allowed to deliver his meal directly to him, but was asked to pass it to him through one of the commission’s personnel. His lawyers have reported that he suffered an overnight episode of bleeding from his nose.” He disclosed that on February 18, El-Rufai was transferred without prior notice from EFCC custody to the ICPC.
Reacting to these developments, Atiku stressed that “if the authorities cannot guarantee his health and fundamental rights, the lawful and humane course of action is to grant him bail without delay.
“Anti-corruption must not become a political weapon. 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 that selective prosecution creates the perception of partisanship, saying, “The continued detention of El-Rufai under unclear circumstances raises serious questions about motive. If anything happens to El-Rufai, this government will be held accountable.”
Atiku demands transparency on El-Rufai detention, cites health concerns
