Protests Erupt Over El-Rufai’s Detention as Legal Tangle Deepens
Protests erupted across Kaduna State on Wednesday over the continued detention of former governor Nasir El-Rufai, with youth groups demanding his immediate release and threatening a one-million-man march in Abuja. The demonstrations, which temporarily disrupted traffic in Kaduna metropolis and occurred in Kafanchan, highlighted growing concerns about due process following the former governor’s arrest last month.
El-Rufai has been held by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) since February 18, after initially presenting himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16. His detention follows a 2024 indictment by the Kaduna State House of Assembly over alleged diversion of N423 billion in public funds, which he denies. Separately, the Department of State Services (DSS) filed cybercrime charges related to alleged phone tapping of the National Security Adviser.
The legal proceedings became convoluted on Wednesday when the DSS failed to produce El-Rufai for arraignment at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The DSS counsel stated the defendant remained in ICPC custody, prompting the judge to adjourn the arraignment to April 23. El-Rufai’s legal team applied for bail, arguing his detention was oppressive, but the court declined, ruling the bail application was premature before arraignment.
The involvement of multiple agencies—EFCC, ICPC, and DSS—has drawn criticism from opposition figures and analysts who suggest political motivations. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) expressed disappointment, calling the offence bailable and accusing the government of using “gimmicks” to prolong detention. Political analyst Dr. Kabiru Sufi noted the simultaneous investigations “raise questions about possible political undertones,” especially given El-Rufai’s recent vocal criticism of federal policies.
Amid the legal dispute, concerns over El-Rufai’s health surfaced after his media aide reported an overnight nosebleed in custody. The ICPC denied the claim, insisting he is held lawfully and investigations are ongoing. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar demanded transparency about which agency holds El-Rufai and urged the government to grant bail if his health and rights cannot be guaranteed.
Legal experts emphasized that the constitution mandates a suspect be charged within 24 to 48 hours, depending on the court’s proximity. While bail for bailable offences is generally permitted, conditions can be stringent for high-profile cases involving national security allegations.
The case now hinges on the April 23 arraignment by the DSS, while the ICPC continues its separate investigation. The prolonged, multi-agency detention has intensified debates over rule of law, political persecution, and the transparency of Nigeria’s anti-graft agencies. Observers note the outcome could set a significant precedent for how security and anti-corruption bodies coordinate in high-profile cases.
