JUST IN: ADC threatens to petition Amnesty International over El-Rufai’s detention

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) says it will petition Amnesty International and other human rights organisations over the continued detention of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna state.

The party said El-Rufai, one of its leaders, has been held in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for over 30 days, describing his detention as a violation of fundamental human rights.

In a statement issued by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the ADC, the party asked the ICPC to release El-Rufai immediately or arraign him before a court of competent jurisdiction.

Part of the statement read: “The African Democratic Congress declares that the continued violation of the fundamental rights of Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai is a stain on the conscience of our democracy and a dangerous descent into lawlessness by the Bola Tinubu-led government.

“Thirty-two days ago, the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, honoured an invitation by the EFCC in good faith, an act that should define a law-abiding citizen in a democratic society.

“Two days after his release, he was taken again, this time by the ICPC. Today, more than 30 days later, he remains in custody without arraignment, without formal charges, and under conditions that, by his own account include, restrictions from his family members and doctor; and coercion to abandon his political rights and associations as the price for his freedom.

“Let us be clear, this is not law enforcement. This is the weaponisation of state institutions against political participation. It is illegal. It is unconstitutional. It is an affront to the very idea of Nigeria as a democratic country.

“Freedom is not a privilege that is granted at the pleasure of the executive branch. It is a right that is guaranteed by the Constitution. The right to liberty. The right to fair hearing. The right to political participation. These are not negotiable. They are not conditional.

“And they are not to be negotiated in dark rooms under threat by agencies that report to President Tinubu and his appointees.”

The party mentioned the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the leadership of the ICPC among those it expects to ensure adherence to the law.

The ADC said the ICPC was established to investigate corruption and strengthen public trust in governance, adding that the agency should not be used as an instrument for political suppression.

The party said: “Nevertheless, as a law-abiding party, today, the ADC calls on all Nigerians, across party lines, across states, across religions, to rise in defence of the Constitution.

“Today it is El-Rufai. Tomorrow, it could be anyone else that the president sees as a threat to his 2027 agenda.

“The erosion of rights rarely begins with everyone, it begins with one, and spreads where and when silence permits it.

“We demand 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.”