El’Rufai’s allies protest, fault continuous prosecution of ex-gov
By Idun Maximus
Allies of the former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El’Rufai, under the banner of Concerned Nigerian Professionals and El’Rufai’s Support Group, have faulted the ongoing trial of the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
On February 16, El’Rufai was detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where he spent 3 days over allegations of corruption.
Upon release, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC), arraigned the former governor on 10-count charges bordering on corruption.
But the CNP Convener, Uche Diala, at a press briefing yesterday in Abuja, contended that the continuous detention of El’Rufai questions the propriety of holding citizens in detention while investigations,are carried out even for non-capital offences.
Diala stressed that if a former governor could be detained for so long, months to a general elections, with minimal communication to the public, it raises serious constitutional concerns for the country’s democracy.
He added that the broader implication of El’Rufai’s ordeal is that it would erode public trust in the institutions, increase politicization of law enforcement, weaken protection of fundamental human rights.
He, therefore, called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council, to issue clear practice directions to judges and the court to effectively monitor the activities of Judicial officers so as to protect the integrity of the Judiciary, the rights of Nigerians and the interest of the nation.
“There is urgent need to ensure the independence of these agencies, and that their actions are guided by the Constitution and the rule of lawn – prioritizing respect for human rights and being scrupulous about ensuring that facts guide investigations rather than political expedience, direction and pressure.
“The agencies should also resist the temptation for indiscriminate arrests and manipulation of judicial processes for unlawfully prolonged detention no matter the citizen affected.
“The rights of Nigerians, including to free speech, freedom of association – including political association, and their right to life must be protected.
“Finally, we appeal to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that this should not be his legacy.
“As a professed democrat, he cannot preside over all these anomalies. He must intervene and ensure that the rule of law and not the rule of might prevails”, he added.
