Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olabode George, has called for strict adherence to the rule of law in the handling of the ongoing legal proceedings involving former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
In a statement on Monday, George said Nigeria stands at a “defining moment” between the rule of law and the exercise of state power, stressing that bail remains a constitutional right and not a discretionary favour.
He argued that the principle of bail is rooted in justice, fairness, and the presumption of innocence, adding that it must not be undermined by political considerations or administrative discretion.
George noted that although he does not belong to the same political party as El-Rufai, he considers him “a son,” while acknowledging mutual respect between them despite political differences. He said his intervention was motivated by what he described as a broader concern for justice in the country.
According to him, El-Rufai had previously been granted temporary release to attend his mother’s burial, after which he continued to face court proceedings and bail-related arguments. He described as a positive development the recent decision of Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court to grant bail, though he noted that stringent conditions were attached.
George cautioned that bail conditions should not become a mechanism for continued detention or denial of liberty. He insisted that El-Rufai should not be denied bail on the basis of such conditions, urging that constitutional provisions be applied fairly and without bias.
He further called on the judiciary to uphold its role as “the last hope of the common man,” stating that history would judge the courts not only by their rulings but also by the courage shown in safeguarding justice during difficult times.
Addressing the executive arm of government, George stressed that true leadership lies in the protection of justice even for political opponents, warning against what he described as selective application of justice. He, therefore, called for due process, fairness, and full respect for the constitutional rights of all citizens, insisting that no democracy can thrive where justice is perceived to be selective.
George maintained that continued detention in circumstances where bail is appropriate undermines both the spirit and letter of the law. He called for El-Rufai’s immediate release on bail in line with constitutional provisions and principles of justice.
“History will remember this moment, whether the law stood firm in defence of justice or whether silence permitted injustice to prevail,” he said.
