The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has come under criticism for detaining the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Nasir El-Rufai, beyond the legally permissible 24-hour period.
Barrister Abba Hikima, a Kano-based Nigerian human rights lawyer and public interest advocate, raised the concern on Tuesday via his verified Facebook page.
Hikima emphasised that while he supports investigations into former public office holders to determine allegations of misappropriation of public funds, El-Rufai should not be held for more than 24 hours as prescribed by law.
“Although I support the idea of investigating past public office holders in order to ascertain the truth or otherwise of allegations of misappropriation of public funds, Nasir El-Rufai should not be detained beyond 24 hours,” Hikima said.
He added, “It shouldn’t appear as though the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is more law-compliant than the ICPC, especially given that the ICPC Chairman is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).”
The lawyer further stated that in a properly structured system, an independent body would investigate the Department of State Services (DSS) regarding Walida’s case and the serious allegations involved.
“By now, the Director-General would have been struggling to retain his position following the agency’s blatant disregard for a court order,” Hikima added.
Northern Post recalls that recently, an official of the DSS, has been accused of abducting and converting to Christianity, a young woman, Walida Abdulhadi-Ibrahim.
