A senior figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Usman Austin, has called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to either formally charge former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in court or release him without further delay.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Austin voiced concern over the former governor’s continued detention and urged the anti-corruption agency to strictly adhere to due process.
He pointed to the recent conduct of the Department of State Services (DSS), noting that the agency had chosen to pursue court proceedings instead of holding suspects without trial. According to him, such an approach reflects democratic values and respect for the rule of law.
Austin argued that any allegations against El-Rufai should be resolved through proper judicial channels, where both prosecution and defence can present their cases before a competent court.
He further stated that El-Rufai had previously responded to an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing him as cooperative with investigators.
The ADC chieftain also questioned the circumstances surrounding El-Rufai’s custody. He said it remains unclear whether the former governor was officially transferred to the ICPC by the EFCC or re-arrested after being granted administrative bail. According to Austin, the lack of clarity raises concerns about transparency and due process.
Emphasising the principle of “innocent until proven guilty,” Austin warned that anti-corruption agencies must avoid actions that could be perceived as politically motivated or oppressive. He maintained that respect for legal procedures is essential to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic system.
He concluded by insisting that if the ICPC has a case against El-Rufai, it should proceed to court immediately. Otherwise, he said, the former governor should be released without further detention.
Crystal Blog Media earlier reported that El-Rufai was taken into ICPC custody shortly after his release from the EFCC, according to sources familiar with the development.