Aisha Yesufu, Deji Adeyanju condemn continuous detention of El-Rufai, seek ex-gov’s arraignment

Yesufu argued that El-Rufai’s incarceration doesn’t resemble justice or accountability, adding that it is beginning to look like “persecution”.

By Kehinde Okeowo    

Social commentator and influencer Aisha Yesufu and Abuja-based human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju have expressed disapproval over the continuous detention of the former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, by the federal government.

The two activists condemned the act in separate posts shared on their respective official X (formerly Twitter) handles.

El-Rufai has been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) during an ongoing investigation into alleged financial impropriety during his tenure as governor.

Prior to this, he spent two nights in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), before being picked up by the Department of State Services (DSS) and subsequently handed over to the ICPC.

His continuous detention without trial has sparked outrage among Nigerians, who have called on the ICPC and other government agencies to immediately charge the former governor in court.

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Reacting to the development, Aisha Yesufu stated that “holding a citizen indefinitely without trial” is unacceptable.

She argued that El-Rufai’s incarceration lacks the hallmarks of justice, noting: “That is not justice. That is not accountability. That begins to look like persecution”.

She added: “Every Nigerian, no matter how powerful or unpopular, has the right to a fair hearing. That right is not a favour from the government; it is a constitutional guarantee. If El-Rufai committed crimes, then prosecute him. Nigerians will support that. But what we must never support is a system where the government can detain anyone endlessly, simply because it can.”

Yesufu further warned of the precedent being set: “Today, it may be El-Rufai. Tomorrow, it could be anyone else who speaks or acts in a way that those in power do not like. A democracy must be better than that. So the message is simple: charge him in court or release him. Let justice be done openly, lawfully, and transparently.”

On his part, Deji Adeyanju demanded that the former governor be arraigned immediately.

Faulting the nature of the incarceration, he wrote: “No matter the allegations, I think he should be charged in a court of competent jurisdiction so that he can face the music. All these things currently going on don’t look tidy to me.”