Bashir Saidu, the former chief of staff to ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has been released after spending 50 days in detention. El-Rufai announced Saidu’s release in a post on X, calling his detention “unjustified” and welcoming him back home.
El-Rufai described Saidu as a long-time friend and a significant figure in Kaduna’s political landscape, alleging that his detention was politically motivated. He hinted at potential repercussions for those involved, suggesting that their actions would be exposed before the upcoming 2027 elections.
Saidu was previously arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on charges of money laundering, accused of receiving a cash payment of ₦155 million while serving as Commissioner for Finance in March 2022. El-Rufai criticized police officers and judges for allegedly obstructing Saidu’s bail process, promising to disclose more information in the near future.
