ADC Kicks Against  Continued Detention Of El-Rufai

By Suleiman Anyalewechi 

The opposition Coalition platform the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has signified its intention to petition both national and international human rights organizations including Amnesty international over the continued detention of the former Kaduna state Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai.

The ADC’s position is coming against growing fears  that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, may not be willing to grant bail to El-Rufai when his remand order expires on Thursday ,March 19, 2026.

The source reports that El-Rufai, a prominent figure in the ADC, has been under the custody of the ICPC since February 18,2026, when he was granted bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC.

He is facing inter-agency investigations on multiple charges bordering on alleged money laundering, diversion of public funds and security related Offences.

Although, a 14-day court remand extension granted to the anti-graft Commission by a Bwari Abuja Chief Magistrate court, on March 5, 2026, is set to elapse on Thursday, there are strong indications that, El-Rufai will  neither be charged nor granted bail as required by law 

Similarly, sources have revealed that there are plans to keep El-Rufai in custody, until April 23, 2026, when he is due for arraignment by the Department of State Service, DSS, over alleged wire-tapping of the telephone lines of the, National Security Adviser, NSA.

However, in a statement on Wednesday March 18, 2026, by its spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi  the ADC expressed serious disgust and concern over the continued violation of the fundamental human rights of the former Kaduna State Governor.

“The African Democratic Congress declares that the continued violation of the fundamental rights of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is a stain on the conscience of our democracy, and a dangerous descent into lawlessness by the Bola Tinubu-led Government.

“Thirty days ago, the former Governor of Kaduna state , Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, honoured an invitation by the EFCC’ in good faith, an act that should define a law-abiding citizen in a democratic society.

“He was taken again immediately by the ICPC after his release by the EFCC’ . Today,more than 30 days later ,he remains in custody without arraignment, without charges ,and under conditions that , by his own account include restrictions from his family members and doctor: coercion to abandon his political rights ,and associations as the price for his freedom.

“Let us be clear: this is not law enforcement. This is weaponization of state institutions against political participation.

“It is illegal. It is unconstitutional. It is an affront to the very idea of Nigeria as a democratic country.

“Freedom is not a privilege that is granted at the pleasure of the executive branch. It is a right that is guaranteed by the Constitution.

“The right to liberty. The right to fair hearing. The right to political participation. These are not negotiable. They are not conditional.

“And they are not to be negotiated in dark rooms under threat by agencies that report to President Tinubu and his appointees.

” Nevertheless, as a law-abiding party, today, the ADC calls on all Nigerians across party lines , across states, across religion, to rise in defence of the Constitution .

“Today, it is El-Rufai, Tomorrow, it could be anyone else that the President sees as a threat to his 2027 agenda”, ADC stated.

While demanding the immediate release of El-Rufai  or his arraignment before a court of competent jurisdiction, the opposition Coalition platform said it will not hesitate to take its case to the court of public opinion both nationally and Internationally.

The source reports that El-Rufai in a 30-page affidavit in support of his fundamental human rights suit filed against his continued detention , alleged that the ICPC has made his renounciation of all political activities, including active collaboration and participation in the activities of the ADC a necessary pre-condition for his freedom.