Emulate DSS, Arraign or Release El-Rufai — ADC Chieftain Tells ICPC

 

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Usman Okai Austin, has urged the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to either arraign former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, before a competent court of law or release him without further delay.

Okai, in a statement issued on Saturday, faulted the anti-graft agency’s decision to detain the former governor while investigations are reportedly ongoing, describing the action as inconsistent with democratic norms and the rule of law.

He commended the approach recently adopted by the Department of State Services (DSS), which, according to him, chose to seek judicial intervention rather than resort to what he termed “arbitrary detention.”

According to the ADC chieftain, “The DSS’s decision to approach a court of law rather than engage in unnecessary drama reflects a commitment to due process. Matters of this nature should be resolved through merit-based arguments before the judiciary.”

Okai argued that detaining a suspect prior to the conclusion of investigations runs contrary to democratic principles and international best practices.

He further noted that El-Rufai had earlier honoured an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), an action he said demonstrated willingness to cooperate with law enforcement authorities.

Raising concerns over what he described as a lack of clarity in the handling of the case, Okai questioned whether the former governor was formally transferred from the EFCC to the ICPC or re-arrested after being granted administrative bail.

“The EFCC has not clearly stated whether Mallam El-Rufai was officially handed over to the ICPC or re-arrested. Such ambiguity does not strengthen public confidence in the rule of law,” he said.

He stressed that anti-corruption agencies must guard against actions that could be perceived as oppressive, insisting that suspects are entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

“If there is evidence against El-Rufai, the appropriate step is to present it before a court. Otherwise, he should be released immediately,” Okai stated.