Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has criticised the arrest and continued detention of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, describing it as “political persecution.”
Obi made the remark while addressing stakeholders of the African Democratic Congress in Kaduna, expressing concern over what he described as threats to democracy and the rule of law.
He argued that every citizen deserves to be treated with dignity and presumed innocent until proven guilty, questioning the manner in which El-Rufai has been handled despite reportedly returning to the country voluntarily. Obi insisted that due process should be followed and that the law should take its full course without bias.
El-Rufai has been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission since February 18, 2026, after being transferred from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. He is currently being investigated over allegations of money laundering and abuse of office.
Additionally, the Department of State Services has filed charges against him related to cybercrime, with a court hearing scheduled for April 23, 2026.
However, El-Rufai has challenged his detention in court, accusing both the DSS and ICPC of abuse of power and unlawful detention. His legal team has also alleged misrepresentation and violation of legal procedures by the anti-corruption agency.
