Release El-Rufai or Immediately Arraign Him, Demands MURIC
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called for the immediate release or arraignment of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over his continued detention by security agencies.
El-Rufai has been in custody since February 16, 2026, after honouring an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Although the EFCC granted him bail on February 18, he was subsequently arrested by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on the same day.
Two days ago, his media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, accused the ICPC of failing to grant him bail, alleging that the former governor suffered a nosebleed in detention and was denied direct access to his wife when she brought him food.
On Wednesday, the Department of State Services (DSS), which filed criminal charges against El-Rufai over allegations of tapping the telephone of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, failed to produce him in court for arraignment.
The DSS informed the court that the ICPC was still investigating the former governor, prompting the judge to adjourn the matter til April 23.
Speaking at a press briefing, MURIC Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, described the situation as a deliberate attempt to keep El-Rufai in prolonged detention.
He said the former governor’s absence in court could not justify the failure to arraign him, noting that a detainee does not control his movement.
Akintola maintained that the law permits a maximum of 48 hours for detention before a suspect must be produced in court. He emphasised that the presumption of innocence remains a fundamental principle of justice and that only the courts have the authority to determine guilt.
MURIC urged the Federal Government to respect democratic norms, including adherence to the rule of law, freedom of movement and freedom of expression as enshrined in Sections 41 and 39 of the Nigerian Constitution.
The group also expressed concern over what it described as negative political optics, noting that former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, former Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and El-Rufai are all members of the opposition.
MURIC reiterated its demand for El-Rufai to be either arraigned in a court of competent jurisdiction or released without further delay.
