Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Federal Government to immediately grant the former Governor of Kaduna State Mallam Nasir El-Rufai bail if it cannot guarantee his health, saying that the present administration will be held responsible if anything happens to him.
El-Rufai has been in detention since February 16 when he honoured the invitation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He was later transferred to custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Officials of the commission later raided his Abuja residence, an action he challenged in court.
Giving an update on his detention, Muyiwa Adekeye, his media aide, alleged that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Chieftain suffered from noise bleeding and one of his wives was prevented from giving him food directly.
Reacting to the development, the former Vice President said the health and welfare of El-Rufai is a matter of grave concern to his family, friends and associates.
Atiku in a post on his social media platforms said if the authorities could not guarantee his (El-Rufai) health and fundamental rights, the lawful and humane course of action is to grant him bail without delay, adding that “If anything happens to El-Rufai, this government will be held accountable”.
Atiku insisted that the Federal Government owes Nigerians clarity and “It must state clearly which agency is holding him, whether the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), the State Security Service (SSS), or any other arm of the security establishment.
“Secrecy in matters of detention only fuels suspicion. Nigerians deserve transparency.
“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.”
The ADC chieftain noted that reports that El-Rufai suffered a nosebleed while family members were allegedly denied access were deeply troubling and unacceptable in a democracy.
“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. Anti-corruption must not become a political weapon.
“The continued detention of El-Rufai under unclear circumstances raises serious questions about motive. Anti-corruption cannot be credible when it appears partisan, coercive, or strategically timed.
“Justice must be transparent. Accountability must be even-handed. And the rule of law must apply to all; without fear, without favour, and without politicalbias,” he said.
Daily Trust
