Obi and Momodu renew calls for El-Rufai’s release from detention

Peter Obi and Dele Momodu have renewed calls for the release of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, who has remained in custody since February. Obi’s media aide, Idris Zekeri, said the former Anambra governor believed any allegations against El-Rufai should be determined through due process rather than prolonged detention. Zekeri said Obi had repeatedly spoken about the case and maintained that no Nigerian should remain in extended detention without the authorities addressing the allegations and respecting the person’s rights.

El-Rufai has been held by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission amid investigations and separate criminal proceedings. The ICPC has said that his detention was authorised by court orders. The former governor has challenged aspects of his continued detention and the proceedings against him.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has reserved ruling on his no-case submission in a case concerning the alleged unlawful interception of telephone communications involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. The ruling is scheduled for October 26. His N1bn fundamental rights suit against the ICPC, the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation was adjourned to October 27.

Momodu, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, criticised El-Rufai’s continued detention during an interview on Channels Television. He said El-Rufai’s contribution to the emergence of President Bola Tinubu’s administration should not be ignored and welcomed the ADC’s decision to give him a political role. Momodu also rejected suggestions that El-Rufai’s political record justified his treatment, while acknowledging that no person was perfect.

El-Rufai recently said he had reflected on relationships after some associates remained silent but added that he would not seek revenge or abandon the principles that had guided him.