- Atiku Abubakar expressed serious concern over the detention of former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, urging the Federal Government to clarify his whereabouts and condition
- He criticised reports that El-Rufai suffered a nosebleed while allegedly being denied access to family, medical care, and legal representation
- Atiku warned that unclear detention practices fuel perceptions of selective prosecution and partisan use of anti-corruption efforts, calling for transparency and even-handed justice
Atiku Abubakar has raised serious concerns over the detention of former Nasir El-Rufai, urging the Federal Government to provide immediate clarification on his whereabouts and condition.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Atiku stressed that El-Rufai’s health and welfare have become a matter of grave concern to his family, friends, and associates. He called on the government to disclose which agency is responsible for the former governor’s detention—whether it is the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), the State Security Service (SSS/DSS), or any other arm of the security establishment.
“The Federal Government owes Nigerians clarity. Secrecy in matters of detention only fuels suspicion. Nigerians deserve transparency,” he said, warning that withholding information undermines public trust in democratic institutions.
Atiku described reports that El-Rufai suffered a nosebleed in custody while family members were allegedly denied access as “deeply troubling and unacceptable in a democracy.” He insisted that whichever agency is holding the former governor has a constitutional obligation to safeguard his health, preserve his dignity, and ensure access to medical care, family members, and legal representatives.
“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 warned.
Beyond concerns for El-Rufai’s welfare, Atiku also highlighted what he described as a growing perception of selective prosecution, alleging that opposition figures are being aggressively targeted while others are shielded from scrutiny. He cautioned that anti-corruption efforts must not be used as political weapons and must remain transparent, even-handed, and free from partisan influence.
“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.