Atiku Abubakar has raised serious concerns over the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai following the Federal High Court’s refusal to review his bail conditions.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the development raises concerns about constitutional rights, the justice system, and what he described as the increasing use of legal processes against political opponents.
He acknowledged that courts have the authority to set bail conditions but stressed that such powers must be exercised fairly and reasonably. According to him, bail terms that are excessively strict or practically impossible to meet defeat the purpose of granting bail and amount to detention by technicality.
Atiku maintained that under the law, every accused person remains innocent until proven guilty and that bail is meant to protect that right, not serve as punishment before conviction.
He questioned the fairness of requiring El-Rufai to provide a serving Grade Level 17 federal civil servant who owns verified property in Maitama or Asokoro, alongside other conditions, arguing that such terms make release almost impossible.
The former vice president warned that the implications of such legal precedents go beyond El-Rufai, noting that any citizen could face similar circumstances if liberty becomes dependent on meeting unrealistic conditions rather than the law itself.
El-Rufai is currently facing separate trials over allegations of corruption and breaches of national security.
BACKSTORY…
The controversy follows the ongoing legal battle involving former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, whose detention and strict bail conditions have sparked political and legal debates across the country.
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El-Rufai is facing multiple charges, including allegations of corruption and national security breaches, with his case drawing significant public attention due to his political profile and influence. The court’s decision to maintain tough bail terms has fueled criticism from opposition figures and legal observers who argue that such conditions could amount to indirect detention.
Against this backdrop, Atiku Abubakar’s intervention adds to growing concerns over the balance between judicial discretion and constitutional rights, especially as Nigeria heads toward another election cycle and political tensions continue to rise.
