Several civil society organizations have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take action in the matter concerning Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
This appeal was put forth by the Concerned Nigerian Professionals and the ESG Association at a press conference held in Abuja on Thursday.
El-Rufai is reportedly facing a multitude of charges—up to ten—linked to allegations of corruption, money laundering, and misuse of office, following a prominent investigation into his time as governor.
During the briefing, Dr. Uche Diala, who represented the groups, called on the president to act decisively to uphold the democratic values and ensure the rule of law is maintained.
"We urge His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to consider what legacy this situation will create," he stated. "As a declared democrat, he should not turn a blind eye to these irregularities. It is imperative that he intervenes and guarantees that the rule of law prevails instead of the rule of force."
The groups also called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council to enhance their oversight functions over judicial officers, emphasizing the necessity to preserve judicial integrity and citizens' rights.
Furthermore, they appealed to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Inspector-General of Police, and heads of security and anti-corruption agencies to protect the autonomy of their agencies.
They insisted that the operations of these bodies should strictly adhere to the Constitution and the rule of law while respecting human rights and legal frameworks.
The organizations expressed concerns regarding arbitrary arrests and suggested that judicial processes should not be subject to manipulation that could lead to unlawful detentions. They asserted, "These agencies must resist the urge to carry out indiscriminate arrests and manipulate judicial proceedings leading to extended detentions and denial of rights, irrespective of who is involved."
Moreover, they highlighted the need for the safeguarding of fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, the right to associate, and the right to life.
The organizations further called upon all Nigerians, irrespective of political affiliations, including statesmen and members of the Council of State, to denounce what they described as threats to democracy and due process.
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