 has called on the Federal Government to either formally charge former Kaduna){kind=link}
The Coalition Political Action Committee (COPAC) has called on the Federal Government to either formally charge former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai in court or release him without further delay.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by its convener, Aminu Datti-Ahmed, the group warned that keeping El-Rufai in custody beyond the legally approved period would amount to a breach of Nigeria’s constitution and international human rights standards. According to COPAC, the rule of law must be respected regardless of political considerations.
El-Rufai had honoured an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16 and remained in the agency’s custody until the night of February 18. He was later transferred to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), where investigations into alleged financial misconduct and related offences continued. Since then, he has remained in detention.
COPAC noted that investigative detention is meant to be temporary and should either result in formal charges before a competent court or the suspect’s immediate release within a reasonable timeframe.
“The 14-day remand order obtained in the case involving Nasir El-Rufai has already expired. That order was granted for a clearly defined purpose—to allow investigators conclude their work within a constitutional timeframe. It was never intended to justify indefinite detention or political drama,” the group said.
The coalition also referenced Section 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which guarantees the right to personal liberty. It warned that continued detention outside the legal framework would constitute an abuse of power and a violation of constitutional rights.
COPAC further raised concerns about what it described as a growing pattern of state institutions allegedly deploying investigative powers selectively against political figures.
Citing international legal standards such as Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the group stressed that arbitrary arrest and detention are prohibited under international law.
The coalition also urged opposition leaders, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Aminu Tambuwal, Rotimi Amaechi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, as well as other democratic actors, to speak up against any form of intimidation or clampdown on opposition figures.
According to COPAC, the issue goes beyond El-Rufai as an individual.
“This is not merely about El-Rufai; it is about ensuring that the law applies equally to everyone. The Constitution must not be treated as optional, and the rule of law must never be used as a selective tool,” the statement added.
The group concluded by reiterating its demand that the government either present evidence and prosecute the former governor in court or release him immediately, stressing that Nigeria must continue to operate as a constitutional democracy rather than a police state.