The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria has called on authorities handling the case of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to ensure that his continued detention is guided by the law and respect for his fundamental rights.
The council said the former governor, who is facing criminal charges, should be treated in accordance with the principles of due process and fair hearing, stressing that allegations against him should not be allowed to undermine his constitutional rights.
In a statement signed by its Secretary General, Nafiu Baba Ahmad, the SCSN said it did not support criminality but insisted that the process of seeking justice must itself comply with the law.
El-Rufai is currently facing a nine-count amended charge filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The allegations include abuse of office, fraud, irregular award and execution of public contracts, money laundering, conferring undue advantage and unlawful handling of public funds during his eight-year tenure as Kaduna governor.
The former governor is also facing a separate five-count amended charge brought by the Department of State Services over alleged unlawful recording of telephone conversations involving National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
El-Rufai has denied wrongdoing in the cases.
The Shari’ah Council said the fact that the former governor was facing prosecution did not remove his entitlement to basic constitutional protections.
“As an organization committed to justice, fairness, and the rule of law, the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) believes that Nigeria operates under a constitutional democracy where the rights and liberties of all citizens must be respected, irrespective of status, political affiliation, or personal disposition,” the council said.
It added, “The principles of due process, fair hearing, and lawful detention are not optional, but fundamental pillars of justice that must be upheld at all times.”
The organisation said it was particularly concerned about the circumstances surrounding El-Rufai’s detention and urged the authorities to ensure that every step taken against him was backed by the Constitution and other applicable laws.
The council warned that failure to follow due process could have consequences beyond the former governor’s individual case, arguing that perceived political interference in legal proceedings could damage confidence in government institutions.
“The Council therefore wishes to state unequivocally that it does not, under any circumstances, support or condone criminality in any form by anyone. However, the pursuit of justice must itself be just,” it said.
“Actions perceived as arbitrary, politically motivated, or inconsistent with the rule of law risk undermining public confidence in state institutions and eroding the very fabric of democratic governance.”
The council consequently asked the relevant authorities to avoid conduct that could create the impression that El-Rufai was being persecuted because of his political activities.
“Accordingly, the Council calls on the relevant authorities to act strictly within the confines of the Constitution and all extant laws by ensuring that due process is followed at every stage,” the statement said.
It further urged the authorities to demonstrate fairness and transparency while handling the proceedings, saying the credibility of Nigeria’s institutions depended largely on whether citizens believed that justice was being administered impartially.
“Nigeria’s unity and long-term stability are inextricably tied to the credibility of its institutions and the trust reposed in them by the citizenry. Justice must not only be done but must be manifestly seen to be done,” the council said.
Recall that former Rivers State Governor and African Democratic Congress vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, had also criticised the continued detention of the former Kaduna governorformer Rivers State Governor and African Democratic Congress vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, had also criticised the continued detention of the former Kaduna governor, arguing that some of the bail conditions imposed on him appeared difficult to satisfy.
Amaechi, a lawyer, questioned the requirement that El-Rufai should rely on individuals connected to the authorities prosecuting his case to secure his release.
“I’m a lawyer, and it is difficult to speak about judges. We were taught in law school that if you want a man to be granted bail, you should not impose impossible conditions,” Amaechi said.
He argued that bail should not become a form of punishment for a defendant who had not been convicted.
“The essence of bail is to look at, ‘Let’s not put this man away.’ What the bail is doing is making him serve his term when he has not been found guilty,” he said.
Amaechi further said prolonged detention could give the impression that the accused had already been judged guilty before the conclusion of the trial.
“So, it is as though the court is assuming that he is guilty of a crime, when, in fact, the court has not found him guilty. He has been there since February. That is so unfair,” he said.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has also disclosed that efforts were being made to secure El-Rufai’s release.
Atiku, who is the 2027 presidential candidate of the ADC, said his team had maintained contact with the former Kaduna governor and had also supported his family during the legal proceedings.
“We are doing everything we can to see that El-Rufai is released. We visit him, send messages to him, and he also sends messages to us. We are also supporting his family,” Atiku said.
