The African Democratic Congress has called for the immediate release or arraignment of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, describing his continued detention without formal charges as a breach of constitutional rights.
The party stated that El-Rufai honoured an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) 32 days ago but was subsequently taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
According to the ADC, he has remained detained for over 30 days without arraignment, formal charges, or access to family members and medical attention.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party described the situation surrounding El-Rufai’s detention as “illegal, unconstitutional, and an affront to the democratic principles of Nigeria.”
The ADC further alleged that, based on El-Rufai’s account, he was pressured to relinquish his political rights and affiliations in exchange for his freedom.
“Freedom is not a privilege that is granted at the pleasure of the executive branch. It is a right guaranteed by the Constitution. The right to liberty, the right to fair hearing, and the right to political participation are not negotiable or conditional,” the statement read.
It further noted, “A government that detains without charge, intimidates without evidence, and demands silence in exchange for freedom is not acting like a democratic government; it is behaving like something else entirely.”
The party urged key government officials and agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser and the leadership of the ICPC, to comply fully with constitutional provisions.
“For the avoidance of doubt…the ICPC was established to investigate and prosecute corruption, and strengthen public trust in governance—not to serve as an instrument of political suppression or a tool in partisan political battles.”
Calling for nationwide vigilance, the ADC appealed to Nigerians across political, religious, and regional divides to defend constitutional rights, warning that “the erosion of rights rarely begins with everyone; it begins with one and spreads where silence permits it.”
The party also criticised what it termed “the irony and shame” of a government that identifies as democratic while allegedly engaging in actions reminiscent of abuses resisted during the NADECO era.
Reiterating its position, the ADC concluded by stating that it “demands the immediate release of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai or his immediate arraignment in a court of competent jurisdiction. Nothing more. Nothing less. That is the law.”
Meanwhile, reports indicate that El-Rufai remains in custody amid several ongoing investigations. The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a three-count cybercrime charge against him following his February 13 interview on Arise TV, during which he acknowledged accessing intercepted phone conversations involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
El-Rufai reportedly linked the intercepted communications to an alleged attempt to detain him at the Abuja airport on February 12. In addition, both the EFCC and ICPC are investigating claims involving the alleged diversion of N432 billion in public funds from Kaduna State.
He was initially detained by the EFCC on February 16, granted bail on February 18, and subsequently rearrested by the ICPC.
