Sharia Council Urges Due Process for Nasir El-Rufai

The Supreme Council for Shari'ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has issued a statement regarding the ongoing detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. The Council, represented by Secretary General Nafiu Baba Ahmad, called on relevant authorities to uphold due process and avoid actions that could be seen as politically motivated persecution.

El-Rufai is currently on trial before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on a nine-count amended charge that includes allegations of abuse of office, fraud, irregular award and execution of public contracts, laundering, conferring undue advantage, and unlawful handling of public funds during his tenure as governor. Additionally, the Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a five-count amended charge against him for unlawfully recording telephone conversations linked to the National Security Adviser.

The SCSN emphasized that while it does not condone criminal behavior, the circumstances of El-Rufai's case raise concerns about adherence to legal procedures and warned against actions perceived as politically driven that could undermine public confidence in state institutions.