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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned that the Federal Government would bear full responsibility should anything untoward happen to former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, who remains in custody amid investigations by anti-graft agencies.
El-Rufai had on February 16 voluntarily honoured an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He was released two days later but was subsequently taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission** (ICPC).
Both agencies are probing the former governor over alleged financial irregularities linked to his administration in Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023.
In a statement released on Monday, El-Rufai’s media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, disclosed that the former governor had spent eight days in detention and reportedly suffered an overnight nosebleed while in custody. Adekeye said El-Rufai’s lawyers had not been presented with any remand order authorising his detention beyond the constitutionally stipulated 48 hours without charge.
He further noted that El-Rufai’s legal team and family were “having difficulties in securing access to him in detention”.
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Reacting on Tuesday via a post on X, Atiku said El-Rufai’s health and welfare had become a source of deep concern to his family, friends, and associates. He urged the Federal Government to clearly state which agency currently has custody of the former governor, whether the EFCC, ICPC, the State Security Service (SSS), or any other security body.
“Secrecy in matters of detention only fuels suspicion. Nigerians deserve transparency,” Atiku said.
“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.”
He argued that if the authorities are unable to protect El-Rufai’s health and fundamental rights, the humane and lawful step would be to grant him bail without delay.
“If anything happens to El-Rufai, this government will be held accountable,” he warned.
The former vice president also voiced concern over what he described as an emerging pattern of selective prosecution, alleging that opposition figures are being aggressively targeted while others are spared scrutiny.
“More troubling, however, is the growing perception of selective prosecution, in which opposition figures are aggressively pursued while others are conspicuously shielded from investigation or interrogation.”
Atiku stressed that anti-corruption efforts must not be turned into political weapons, adding that El-Rufai’s continued detention under what he called “unclear circumstances” raises serious questions about the real motives behind the action.
According to him, the credibility of the anti-graft war is eroded when it appears partisan or coercive, insisting that justice must be applied fairly and transparently.
“The rule of law must apply to all; without fear, without favour, and without political bias,” he said.
The post Atiku raises alarm over El-Rufai’s detention, warns FG against any harm appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria.
