The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of violating the fundamental human rights of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over his continued detention.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the party said El-Rufai, who is a leading member of the ADC, has remained in ICPC custody for more than 30 days without formal charges or arraignment.
The ICPC had earlier clarified that the former governor’s detention was backed by an existing court order. In a statement by its spokesperson, Okor Odey, the commission maintained that his custody was not based on a fresh directive.
However, the ADC, through its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, rejected the explanation, describing the detention as illegal, unconstitutional, and politically motivated. The party alleged that El-Rufai was being pressured to abandon his political affiliations as a condition for his release.
According to the ADC, prolonged detention without trial undermines democratic principles and reflects tendencies of authoritarian rule. The party warned that it would escalate the matter to international human rights bodies, including Amnesty International, if the situation persists.
The statement further criticised the administration of Bola Tinubu, alleging that the continued detention signals a dangerous erosion of constitutional rights and the rule of law.
The party noted that El-Rufai initially honoured an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before being rearrested by the ICPC shortly after his release. It claimed that since then, he has been held without access to family members and medical care, while also facing alleged coercion.
Reiterating its position, the ADC stressed that the right to liberty, fair hearing, and political participation are guaranteed under the Constitution and cannot be compromised.
The party called on key government officials, including the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the ICPC leadership, to ensure immediate compliance with constitutional provisions.
It demanded either the immediate release of El-Rufai or his prompt arraignment before a court of competent jurisdiction, insisting that anything short of this would amount to a violation of democratic norms.
The ADC also urged Nigerians to defend democratic values, warning that the erosion of rights often begins with a single case before expanding more broadly if left unchecked.
