Atiku Abubakar demands transparency over El-Rufai detention, urging government to ensure his health, legal access, and humane treatment
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Federal Government to provide full clarity on the detention of ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, amid reports of health complications and limited access to family and lawyers.
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In a statement released on Tuesday, Atiku described the situation as “a matter of grave concern to his family, friends, and associates,” stressing that Nigerians deserve transparency.
He questioned which agency was holding El-Rufai, citing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, or the State Security Service as possibilities.
Atiku warned that secrecy around detention fuels suspicion and underlined that “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 call comes after Muyiwa Adekeye, media aide to El-Rufai, alleged that the former governor suffered a nosebleed while in EFCC custody.
Adekeye stated that although El-Rufai was interrogated and later granted administrative bail, he remained detained while his legal team sought variations of the bail conditions.
Adekeye further claimed that on February 17, one of El-Rufai’s wives was prevented from delivering his meal directly, and that lawyers struggled to secure access.
He also noted that El-Rufai was transferred without prior notice from EFCC custody to the ICPC on February 18.
Reacting to these developments, Atiku emphasised that “if the authorities cannot guarantee his health and fundamental rights, the lawful and humane course of action is to grant him bail without delay.”
He added, “Anti-corruption must not become a political weapon. Justice must be transparent. Accountability must be even-handed. The rule of law must apply to all, without fear, without favour, and without political bias.”
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Atiku also warned that selective prosecution fosters perceptions of partisanship, saying, “The continued detention of El-Rufai under unclear circumstances raises serious questions about motive. If anything happens to El-Rufai, this government will be held accountable.”
