Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Timi Frank, has called on authorities to ensure fairness and due process in the ongoing detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai. Frank made the appeal in a statement released on Friday, May 22. He urged security agencies to respect El-Rufai’s constitutional rights and allow him sufficient time and access to prepare his legal defence.
El-Rufai Voluntarily Returned to Nigeria
Frank noted that El-Rufai reportedly returned to Nigeria from Egypt and willingly presented himself before security agencies. He said such action should be considered in the handling of the matter. According to reports, El-Rufai’s family alleged that operatives of the Department of State Services took the former governor into custody despite existing court orders.
Call for Justice and Rule of Law
As reported by Punch, the former APC spokesman said the anti-corruption campaign should not be pursued outside the boundaries of the law. According to him, justice and accountability must go hand in hand with respect for legal procedures. “For the umpteenth time, I reiterate my support for the fight against corruption. However, fairness, justice, rule of law, and due process must never be sacrificed under any circumstance,” he said.
Frank appealed to northern leaders, youth groups, and civil society organisations to pay close attention to the developments surrounding the former governor’s detention. “I pray that northern elders and youths will not sit back and watch anything untoward happen to Mallam El-Rufai,” Frank said.
Demand for Transparency
The former APC chieftain further urged professional and civic bodies across the country to monitor the case and speak up where necessary. He specifically mentioned the Nigerian Bar Association, traditional rulers, religious leaders, northern youth groups, and members of the international community as stakeholders who should demand transparency in the matter.
“I therefore call on the Nigerian Bar Association, religious leaders, northern elders, traditional rulers, northern youths, civil society organisations, well-meaning Nigerians, and the international community to urgently demand his immediate release so he can adequately prepare for his defence,” he stated.
El-Rufai’s Political Influence
Frank described El-Rufai as an influential political figure who remained active in national politics after leaving office as Kaduna State governor. He referenced the former governor’s role during the 2023 general elections. According to him, security agencies handling the matter should remain professional and transparent while carrying out their responsibilities. He maintained that the principles of justice and rule of law must guide every stage of the process involving the former governor.
Background on El-Rufai’s Legal Troubles
El-Rufai landed in legal trouble with the federal government after claiming to have tapped Nuhu Ribadu’s phone. In a separate development, a northern group criticised El-Rufai over attacks on President Tinubu and Ribadu, stating he had no moral right to do so. Additionally, the APC reacted to El-Rufai’s absence from the party’s National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja. The DSS re-arrested El-Rufai in Abuja despite an existing bail order, prompting a reaction from his family.
2027 Election Plans
Earlier, sources reported that El-Rufai was not contesting any elective position in the 2027 election. Instead, he was focused on mobilising against President Tinubu’s second-term agenda. A prominent associate of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who contested the 2023 presidential election but lost to Tinubu and is now relating with El-Rufai, divulged that the ex-governor is interested in sending Tinubu and his people back to Lagos.
