El-Rufai denied access to doctors, wife’s food – ADC

The African Democratic Congress.(ADC) on Monday condemned the continued detention of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, alleging that authorities denied him access to his doctors and prevented his wife from delivering food to him while in custody.

In a statement issued by Bolaji Abdullahi, its National Publicity Secretary, the party accused President Bola Tinubu of using state institutions to suppress opposition figures, describing El-Rufai as a “political prisoner.”

El-Rufai is facing multiple trials. He is being prosecuted by the ICPC for alleged money laundering, abuse of office, and fraud. Additionally, he is facing other charges brought by the Department of State Service (DSS) for alleged breaches of national security and wiretapping.

The ADC said the former governor had voluntarily submitted himself for investigation but had since faced prolonged detention and repeated court appearances despite being granted bail in April.

According to the party, the treatment of El-Rufai contrasts sharply with the handling of other high-profile corruption cases involving former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, and former Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, who it said remain free despite facing corruption allegations.

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“What is happening to Mallam El-Rufai confirms beyond all doubt that this detention is no longer about justice; it is about politics. It also confirms our fears that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is deploying the instruments of state power to keep one of the leading opposition figures out of circulation.

“This is political persecution dressed up as prosecution,” the statement read.

The ADC further argued that the President’s democratic credentials were being undermined by what it described as the weaponisation of security and anti-corruption agencies against political opponents.

The party warned that the federal government, alongside agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) would be held responsible for any deterioration in El-Rufai’s health or further violation of his rights.

The party added that it had activated legal and diplomatic measures at local, continental and international levels to secure the release of the former governor.