Atiku Alleges Political Motive in El-Rufai’s Arrest, Release | Nigeria News Today
By Queen Madaki
The Bureau News reports that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described the arrest and subsequent release of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as politically motivated.
El-Rufai, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), was taken into custody by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) shortly after proceedings at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Wednesday.
Nigeria News Today: Atiku Reacts to El-Rufai’s Arrest
The former governor is currently standing trial over allegations of corruption brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The court had earlier adjourned the matter until April 14 for a hearing on his bail application.
However, moments after the court session, DSS operatives reportedly rearrested him, a development that has sparked political reactions.
The Bureau News gathered that a statement issued by Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, questioned the circumstances surrounding the arrest and release.
“By releasing Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, they were only confirming what we have been saying — that his detention and arraignment are politically motivated,” the statement said.
Controversy Over Release Procedure
The statement further alleged that the authorities did not obtain leave of court before releasing El-Rufai, raising concerns about due process.
According to Atiku’s camp, the sequence of events suggests an attempt to exert political pressure on the former governor.
The aide added that efforts to influence El-Rufai politically may have failed, prompting what he described as continued harassment.
Call for Respect of Democratic Rights
Atiku emphasized that El-Rufai, as a Nigerian citizen, has the constitutional right to determine his political affiliation and direction without intimidation.
He called on the authorities to ensure that El-Rufai’s freedom is sustained and that due process is followed in handling the case.
The Bureau News reports that the development has added to ongoing debates about the intersection of politics and law enforcement in Nigeria’s democratic space.
