Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and African Democratic Congress chieftain Dele Momodu have renewed calls for the release of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who has remained in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission since February.
Obi’s media aide, Idris Zekeri, said the former governor had consistently maintained that any allegations against El-Rufai should be resolved through due process rather than prolonged detention.
According to Zekeri, Obi believes that if there is a case against El-Rufai, the courts should determine it instead of allowing him to remain in custody without the matter being concluded.
The ICPC has maintained that El-Rufai’s detention is backed by court orders. The commission previously stated that a remand order issued in March authorised his continued custody while investigations proceeded.
El-Rufai is also facing separate court proceedings. In one case before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the court is expected to rule on October 26 on his no-case submission in a trial involving alleged unlawful interception of telephone communications belonging to National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
His N1bn fundamental rights suit against the ICPC, Inspector-General of Police and Attorney-General of the Federation has also been adjourned until October 27.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Friday, Momodu criticised El-Rufai’s continued detention and defended his inclusion in the ADC’s campaign structure despite being in custody.
Momodu argued that El-Rufai’s past political role should be taken into account, particularly his involvement in the political process that preceded President Bola Tinubu’s emergence.
He also described El-Rufai as a “prisoner of conscience,” alleging that his detention was politically motivated. Those comments were made by Momodu during the television interview and represent his assessment of the situation.
Momodu further said the ADC’s decision to appoint El-Rufai to its campaign council was a way of recognising his political contribution, even though his detention could prevent him from participating directly in the campaign.
The former Kaduna governor has also spoken about the response of some of his former associates to his detention. In a recent statement, El-Rufai said he had reflected on several of his relationships but would not allow the actions of others to alter the principles that had guided him.
The legal proceedings and detention remain ongoing, with the courts scheduled to consider the different applications involving the former governor in October.
