Judiciary is Complicit”: Atiku Abubakar Slams Unlawful Detention of El-Rufai, Demands Immediate Release on Bail

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the prolonged detention and prosecution of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, describing it as unlawful, unconstitutional and a setback for democracy.

Atiku spoke in an interview segment featured in The Justice For El-Rufai Project documentary, where he reviewed El-Rufai’s tenure as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

“He did a marvelous job trying to restore the master plan of Abuja. I don’t think we have had a successful FCT minister since he left,” Atiku said.

Speaking on the current charges against El-Rufai, the former Vice President said the offenses for which bail cannot be granted are clearly stated in the law.

“The offenses that are not bailable are clearly stated in our laws, like murder and so on and so forth,” he said.

He accused authorities of shifting charges and prolonging detention.

“But they keep on shifting from one offense to the other. I think this is a very, very sad and setback for our democracy,” Atiku said.

Atiku further accused the judiciary of being used in the matter.

“What is so sad about it is that the judiciary is being used, and the judiciary is complicit. Because there are no offenses that Nasir has committed that are not bailable,” he said.

He called for an end to what he described as unlawful detention and demanded that El-Rufai be released on bail.

“My appeal is that they should drop this attitude, all of unlawful and unconstitutional detention of El-Rufai, release him on bail. If he has committed an offense, let him go to court and defend himself,” Atiku said.

El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State and former FCT Minister, is facing prosecution in three courts and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.