• Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar demanded the release of Nasir El-Rufai before Eid-el-Kabir celebrations
• Atiku described El-Rufai’s continued detention as “cruel, unjustifiable, and deeply troubling”
• He insisted there was no justification for keeping El-Rufai away from his family during the religious celebration

The former vice president urged the Federal Government and Kaduna State authorities to prioritise justice, peace, and national cohesion

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for the immediate release of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, describing his continued detention as unfair and politically troubling.

In a statement released on Friday, May 15, by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku criticised what he described as the use of state institutions to intimidate political opponents and warned against actions capable of weakening democratic values and the rule of law.

The former vice president said keeping El-Rufai in custody during a major religious celebration was “cruel, unjustifiable, and deeply troubling.”

“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,” Atiku said.

He added that Eid should reflect “mercy, reconciliation, and humanity,” insisting that there was “absolutely no justification for keeping a man away from his family during such a solemn and spiritually significant occasion.”

Atiku further urged both the Federal Government and Kaduna State Government to ensure transparency if El-Rufai’s detention was truly based on legal procedures.

According to him, “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.”

He also cautioned authorities against using democratic institutions to settle political scores, stressing that “selective justice is injustice” and that the strength of democracy is measured by how fairly perceived opponents are treated.

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

El-Rufai and his co-defendant, Joel Adoga, are currently facing a 10-count charge before Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Kaduna over alleged money laundering, possession of proceeds of corruption, and related offences under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

El-Rufai freed after weeks in ICPC custody amid mounting legal battles

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, had been released from the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) after weeks of detention.

Further details indicated that the former governor was granted temporary bail on compassionate grounds, following the death of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, who reportedly passed away earlier on Friday in Cairo, Egypt.