By Suleiman Anyalewechi
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed deep concern over the continued detention of former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, by agents of the Federal Government.
Atiku raised questions about the health condition of El-Rufai who has been a guest of both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, since Monday February 16, 2026, over allegations of corruption during his tenure as Kaduna Governor.
Muyiwa Adekeye, Media Aide to El-Rufai had, in a statement on Monday, February 23, expressed worry over his Principal’s poor state of health and alleged maltreatment in custody.
He informed that El-Rufai bled from the nose over night from Sunday to Monday. He, however did not disclose what led to the development, as well as if the situation has been sufficiently attended to.
The former Vice President in a statement on his official site on Tuesday February 24, urged the Federal Government to come clean on which of its agencies is presently holding El-Rufai, and under what circumstances.
He also called on the authorities to immediately grant the former Governor and Chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, bail if it cannot guarantee his health.
This is as he warned that nothing untoward should happen to El-Rufai whom he alleged has been denied access to his wife, relations and legal representatives.
“The health and welfare of Nasir El-Rufai is a matter of grave concern to his family, friends and associates.
“The Federal Government owes Nigerians clarity. It must state clearly which agency is holding him, whether the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ICPC, the Department of State Service, DSS, or any other arm of the security establishment.
“Secrecy in matters of detention only fuels suspicion. Nigerians deserve transparency. Whichever agency is responsible has a constitutional duty to guarantee his safety, dignity, access to medical care and access to his family and legal representatives.
“If the authorities cannot guarantee his health and fundamental rights, the lawful and humane course of action is to grant him bail without delay.
” If anything happens to El-Rufai, this Government will be held accountable”, Atiku warned .
Atiku, a prominent figure in the emerging opposition Coalition platform, the ADC, described as troubling, the growing tendency by the authorities to hunt and persecute dissenting voices through the instrumentality security and anti-graft agencies.
He questioned the Federal Government’s motives behind the continued unjust detention of El-Rufai, more so under unclear circumstances.
“More troubling, however, is the growing perception of selective prosecution in which opposition figures are aggressively pursued, while others are conspicuously shielded from investigation or interrogation. Anti-corruption must not become a political weapon.
“Justice must be transparent. Accountability must be even-handed. And the rule of law must apply to all without fear; without favour, and without political bias”, he added.
The Source reports that El-Rufai, bearing any last minute change, will be arraigned on Wednesday February 25, 2026, by the DSS in connection with the alleged wire-tapping of the National Security Adviser’s phone lines .
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