HURMA Demands El-Rufai’s Release, Alleges Rights Violations Over Continued Detention

The Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA) has called for the immediate release of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, alleging that his continued detention violates his fundamental human rights.

The rights advocacy group, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Executive Director, Comrade Buna Olaitan Isiak, expressed concern over reports that El-Rufai remains in custody despite claims of deteriorating health and alleged denial of adequate medical care.

HURMA said the allegations, if verified, raise serious constitutional and human rights concerns requiring urgent intervention by the relevant authorities.

According to Isiak, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees every citizen the rights to personal liberty, dignity, fair hearing and access to medical care while in custody, adding that these protections are also enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other international treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.

“While no individual is above the law, no Nigerian should be subjected to arbitrary detention, selective justice, political intimidation or treatment that undermines constitutional rights. The prosecution of any alleged offence must not become an excuse for violating fundamental human rights,” he said.

The organisation demanded El-Rufai’s release if there is no lawful judicial basis for his continued detention, insisting that due process must be strictly observed.

It also called for immediate and unrestricted access to qualified medical personnel to safeguard his health, compliance with constitutional provisions governing arrest, detention, bail and fair hearing, and an end to actions capable of creating the impression that state institutions are being used for political persecution.

HURMA stressed that the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic institutions depends on their commitment to the rule of law, fairness and impartiality, warning that any deviation from these principles could erode public confidence in the nation’s justice system.

The group noted that El-Rufai, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and two-term governor of Kaduna State, is entitled to the constitutional presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

It urged security agencies, prosecuting authorities and other government institutions to respect the Constitution, protect the dignity of all detainees and ensure justice is administered fairly, transparently and without discrimination.

HURMA added that it would continue to monitor developments and remain committed to defending the constitutional and fundamental rights of all Nigerians, irrespective of political affiliation, ethnicity, religion or social status.