ADC Chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo Accuses Tinubu of Persecuting El-Rufai Over Party Switch
Kenneth Okonkwo, a prominent chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, has made a bold allegation that the ongoing detention of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai is driven by political motives, specifically linking it to El-Rufai's decision to join the opposition party. Okonkwo delivered this claim during a recent appearance on Channels Television's Morning Brief program, where he also strongly criticized the detention as a clear violation of El-Rufai's constitutional rights.
Political Persecution Allegations
In his televised remarks, Okonkwo stated emphatically, "He is being maltreated, he is being persecuted because he has joined ADC, and we are not exculpating anybody." He directly placed responsibility for the situation on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing him of misusing executive power. "For now, he is using his authority as the commander-in-chief to deploy the instrumentality of the anti-corruption agencies in courts, because I wonder whether there is any commission fighting corruption in Tinubu's regime," Okonkwo added, questioning the integrity of the current administration's anti-corruption efforts.
Constitutional Violations Cited
Okonkwo argued that holding El-Rufai in detention without formal charges fundamentally breaches constitutional provisions protecting fundamental human rights. He stressed that security agencies do not possess the legal authority to detain suspects indefinitely under the guise of ongoing investigations. "That is illegal, and any such order is unconstitutional. If El-Rufai committed any crime, please bring him to trial, grant him bail, so that if he is convicted, fine, nobody in ADC is quarrelling against the rule of law," he asserted, emphasizing his party's commitment to legal due process.
Procedural Concerns Raised
The ADC chieftain further elaborated on procedural issues, stating that arrests should logically follow the completion of investigations, not precede them. "The whole idea of arrest is that you have completed your investigation and found the person culpable for the crime you alleged he committed. It is the duty of the prosecution to prove the guilt of the suspect, not the suspect to defend his innocence," he explained, highlighting what he views as a reversal of proper legal protocol.
Background on El-Rufai's Detention
Nasir El-Rufai has remained in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission since February 19, following his earlier release by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. On Wednesday, a magistrate court in Bwari, Abuja, granted the ICPC a fresh 14-day detention order to continue investigations into allegations of money laundering and abuse of office. El-Rufai's family has publicly criticized the detention, adding to the growing controversy surrounding the case.
