ADC Chieftain Calls for El-Rufai's Immediate Release

Usman Okai Austin, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has publicly criticized the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) regarding the detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. In a statement issued on Saturday, Okai demanded El-Rufai's immediate release, arguing that the ICPC should either charge him in court or let him go.

He highlighted that El-Rufai has demonstrated full cooperation and voluntarily honored an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), asserting that he is not a flight risk. Okai expressed concerns over the lack of transparency surrounding El-Rufai's transfer to the ICPC and emphasized the fundamental requirement of protecting the rights of individuals until proven guilty, which aligns with international best practices.

He warned anti-corruption agencies against becoming tools of oppression, stressing the importance of judicial processes in such matters.