Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, alongside prominent African Democratic Congress (ADC) figure Dele Momodu, has renewed calls for the release of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who has remained in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) since February.
Obi, through his media aide, Idris Zekeri, said the former governor had consistently advocated for the former Kaduna governor’s rights, maintaining that any allegations against him should be subjected to proper judicial procedures rather than prolonged detention.
Zekeri, while speaking to Saturday Punch, said Obi had repeatedly expressed concern over El-Rufai’s continued incarceration and insisted that the authorities should present their case before a competent court if there were grounds for prosecution.
According to him, Obi has publicly addressed the matter on several occasions, including through social media posts and a press conference. He said the NDC presidential candidate remained of the view that no citizen should be held indefinitely without being formally charged and given the opportunity to defend himself through the judicial process.
El-Rufai is currently facing legal proceedings arising from investigations by the ICPC and other authorities. The anti-corruption agency has maintained that his detention was backed by court orders, while the former governor has challenged aspects of the proceedings and the circumstances surrounding his continued detention.
The former Kaduna governor is also involved in a separate case before the Federal High Court in Abuja concerning allegations of unlawful interception of telephone communications involving National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. El-Rufai has pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
On September 22, the Federal High Court reserved October 26 for a ruling on El-Rufai’s no-case submission in the matter. His legal team is seeking an end to the proceedings at that stage, arguing that the prosecution has not produced sufficient evidence to require him to enter a defence. (Pixel pulse media)
In another legal action, El-Rufai is challenging his detention and other actions involving the ICPC, the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation. His N1 billion fundamental rights suit has been adjourned until October 27. (Pixel pulse media)
Meanwhile, Momodu has also criticised the continued detention of the former Kaduna governor. Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Friday, the ADC chieftain argued that El-Rufai’s contribution to the political process that eventually produced President Bola Tinubu should not be disregarded.
Momodu said the former governor had played a significant role in the political developments that preceded Tinubu’s emergence and questioned the treatment El-Rufai was receiving from the administration he previously supported.
He also welcomed the ADC’s decision to assign El-Rufai a role within its political structure despite his continued detention, describing the move as recognition of his place within the opposition coalition.
According to Momodu, El-Rufai’s inability to immediately perform the responsibilities attached to the position should not prevent the party from acknowledging his political relevance.
The ADC chieftain further rejected criticisms of El-Rufai’s political conduct, particularly claims that the former governor promoted divisive politics during his tenure in Kaduna State.
Momodu argued that El-Rufai had previously received support from members of the same political establishment now critical of him. He pointed to the former governor’s involvement in the 2023 presidential campaign and questioned why his political style was not considered problematic at the time.
The renewed appeals from Obi and Momodu come as El-Rufai continues to pursue legal remedies in court while remaining in ICPC custody. The ongoing cases have yet to produce final judicial determinations on the allegations against him.
