The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has strongly condemned the ongoing detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, describing it as unacceptable and against the provisions of the rule of law.
MURIC criticized El-Rufai’s detention without proper legal process stating that such action is a trample on his fundamental rights as well as democratic principles as enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution.
In a statement issued by the religious body, it highlighted that El-Rufai’s absence from court proceedings on Wednesday stemmed directly from his continued detention, preventing his arraignment and raising concerns over deliberate efforts to prolong his custody indefinitely.
The group emphasized that Nigerian law allows a maximum of 48 hours for detention before an accused must be arraigned in court, as stated by it’s Executive Director, Ishaq Akintola.
“MURIC demands the immediate arraignment of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai in a court of competent jurisdiction,” Akintola said.
“The law prescribes 48 hours only as the maximum period an accused can be held in detention and within which he must be produced in court.”
MURIC stressed that only courts possess the authority to declare guilt, not security agencies. It urged adherence to global best practices and constitutional guarantees of freedom of movement and speech under Sections 41 and 39.
The rights group concluded by stressing that Nigeria cannot afford unpleasant political optics while under global scrutiny, reiterating the demand for constitutional process in the matter.
