Coalition demands FG charge or release El-Rufai

The Coalition Political Action Committee has warned the Federal Government to either file formal charges against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai or release him immediately.

It insisted that any continued detention beyond the legally permitted period would violate Nigeria’s constitution and international human rights law.

COPAC made the statement through its convener, Aminu Datti-Ahmed, in Abuja, on Sunday, warning the Federal Government that the rule of law in Nigeria could not be suspended for political convenience.

El-Rufai honoured an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on February 16 and remained in its custody until the night of February 18, after which he was transferred to the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission and Other Related Offences Commission for further investigation into alleged financial misconduct and related offences.

Since then, the former Kaduna State governor has remained in detention.

In response, the coalition emphasised that investigative detention is strictly temporary and must, within a reasonable timeframe, either result in formal charges before a competent court or the immediate release of the detainee.

It stated, “The 14-day remand order obtained by investigators in the case involving Nasir El-Rufai has expired.

“That order was granted for a specific and limited purpose: to allow investigators to complete their work within a defined constitutional window.

“It was not granted as a licence for indefinite detention, procedural manipulation, or political theatre.

“Under Section 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the liberty of every citizen is protected by law.

“Investigative detention is strictly temporary and must lead, within a reasonable time, to either formal charges before a competent court or the immediate release of the detainee.

“The Federal Government must, therefore, understand that it must now do one of two things in the case involving El-Rufai: file formal charges before a court or release the detainee immediately.”

It stated that Nigeria is experiencing a troubling trend where state institutions are using investigative powers against political figures in ways that raise serious concerns about selectivity, timing, and underlying motives.

COPAC added, “Such conduct would also run contrary to Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights law, including Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, both of which prohibit arbitrary arrest and detention and require that any deprivation of liberty be strictly governed by law and subject to judicial oversight.

“Make no mistake, the danger of this moment cannot be overstated. Nigeria is witnessing a disturbing pattern in which state institutions are willing to deploy investigative powers against political actors in a manner that raises legitimate questions about selectivity, timing, and motive.

“This is why silence from other opposition leaders at this moment is both dangerous and irresponsible.”

COPAC, therefore, called on leading opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Aminu Tambuwal, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso, along with all leaders who claim to stand for democratic accountability, to speak out immediately against any attempt to harass, intimidate, or clamp down on the opposition.

“This is not about El-Rufai. This is about the law being a level-playing field. The rule of law must never become a selective weapon used against those who fall out of favour with those who hold power.

“History teaches us what happens when political leaders watch in silence as the machinery of state power is gradually turned against one opponent after another,” the statement added.

COPAC urged the Federal Government to press charges if it had evidence; otherwise, it should immediately release the detainee.

“The law is not optional. The constitution is not a suggestion. And the Nigerian people will not remain silent if the guarantees of liberty written into our constitution are treated as expendable.

“Nigeria is a constitutional democracy, not a police state,” it added.