RismadarVoice Reporters
March 18, 2026
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the immediate release or arraignment of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, describing his continued detention without formal charges as a violation of constitutional rights.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said El-Rufai had remained in custody for more than 30 days after honouring an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The ADC alleged that he was subsequently taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and had since been held without arraignment, access to family members, or adequate medical care.
The party described the situation as “illegal, unconstitutional, and an affront to democratic principles,” insisting that the former governor’s fundamental rights to liberty, fair hearing and political participation must be respected.
It also claimed that El-Rufai was allegedly pressured to abandon his political associations as a condition for regaining freedom.
According to the ADC, anti-corruption agencies were established to investigate and prosecute corruption, not to be used as instruments of political suppression.
The party urged relevant authorities, including the National Security Adviser and leadership of the ICPC, to comply with constitutional provisions in handling the matter.
The opposition party further called on Nigerians across political and religious divides to defend constitutional rights, warning that unchecked erosion of civil liberties could undermine democratic governance.
It concluded by reiterating its demand that El-Rufai be either released immediately or formally charged before a court of competent jurisdiction.
El-Rufai remains under investigation by multiple agencies. The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed cybercrime charges against him over remarks made during a February television interview, while the EFCC and ICPC are also probing alleged diversion of public funds during his tenure as governor.
He was initially detained by the EFCC in February, granted bail, and later rearrested by the ICPC.
