Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on the federal government to provide immediate clarification regarding the alleged detention of Nasir El-Rufai.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Atiku said the health and welfare of El-Rufai were matters of serious concern to his family, friends and associates. He urged the authorities to publicly identify the agency responsible for his custody, naming the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), the State Security Service (SSS), or any other security body.
According to Atiku, secrecy surrounding detention undermines public trust and fuels suspicion. He stressed that whichever agency is holding El-Rufai has a constitutional obligation to ensure his safety, dignity, access to medical care, and access to his family and legal representatives.
He described as troubling reports alleging that El-Rufai suffered a nosebleed while family members were denied access to him, noting that such claims are unacceptable in a democratic society.
Atiku further argued that if the authorities cannot guarantee El-Rufai’s health and fundamental rights, he should be granted bail without delay. He warned that the government would be held accountable should any harm befall the former governor.
Beyond the immediate concerns, Atiku also raised issues about what he described as a growing perception of selective prosecution, alleging that opposition figures appear to be targeted while others are shielded from scrutiny. He cautioned that anti-corruption efforts risk losing credibility if perceived as partisan or politically motivated.
He concluded by calling for transparency, even-handed accountability, and strict adherence to the rule of law, insisting that justice must apply to all without fear or favour.
