Let El-Rufai Go, MURIC Tells FG

Let El-Rufai Go, MURIC Tells FG

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Federal Government to release former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, from custody, arguing that the prolonged detention and adjournment in his case raises concerns of possible bias in the judicial process.

The group made the call in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, following the adjournment of El-Rufai’s bail hearing to the first week of June 2026 by the Kaduna State High Court.

El-Rufai’s case came before Justice Darius Khobo on Tuesday, where the court ordered that he remain in custody pending the next hearing date, a decision that has since drawn criticism from the Islamic rights organisation.

While acknowledging the authority of the courts, MURIC said it was troubled by what it described as the unusually long adjournment in a matter involving a bailable offence.

“While we respect pronouncements made in the temple of justice and we believe that the law must be allowed to follow its due process, the long adjournment of El-Rufai’s case in a bailable offence lends credence to opposition claim of political motivation,” the statement read.

The organisation further questioned the reasoning behind continued detention, referencing the court’s position that El-Rufai should remain in custody to ensure his availability for trial.

It argued that the former governor had demonstrated consistent cooperation with investigative authorities, including voluntarily submitting himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and later the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

MURIC also noted that El-Rufai had returned to custody after attending his mother’s burial rites and had previously complied with official invitations, including notifying authorities before returning from abroad to face questioning.

According to the group, there was no history suggesting that the former governor had ever attempted to evade legal proceedings or jump bail.

The statement expressed concern over the length of his detention since February 2026, warning that the cumulative time in custody could stretch into several months before the next court hearing.

“By implication, El-Rufai would have spent approximately three and a half months by the time the bail application comes up again in the first week of June 2026,” MURIC said.

It further compared the situation with other corruption-related cases in the country, noting that accused persons are often granted bail within shorter time-frames.

“Politicians facing corruption charges in Nigeria often spend between a few days to several weeks in ICPC detention. But that of the former governor of Kaduna is now drifting into months,” the group added.

MURIC warned that the perception of selective justice could damage public confidence in the legal system and deepen political tensions.

“The question being raised in the opposition camp is what else constitutes political witch-hunt if this does not?” Professor Akintola stated.

The organisation, however, reaffirmed its support for due process, insisting that justice must be allowed to run its course without delay or perceived manipulation.

“Justice delayed is justice denied. Let El-Rufai go,” the statement concluded.

The case is expected to resume in June 2026.
Meanwhile, National Periscope had earlier reported earlier on Thursday that the Department of State Services (DSS) has brought former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, before a Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations that he unlawfully accessed a private telephone conversation involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

El-Rufai, who also served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, was arraigned on Thursday on a five-count amended charge bordering on alleged interception of communication.

At the start of proceedings, counsel to the DSS informed the court that the initial three-count charge had been expanded to five, prompting the presiding judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, to strike out the earlier charges.

The former governor pleaded not guilty to all counts.