Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has accused powerful interests of orchestrating a campaign designed to prolong his detention and damage his public image as he awaits a court decision on his bail. The former governor is scheduled to return to court on April 21 when the Kaduna State High Court is expected to rule […]
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has accused powerful interests of orchestrating a campaign designed to prolong his detention and damage his public image as he awaits a court decision on his bail.
The former governor is scheduled to return to court on April 21 when the Kaduna State High Court is expected to rule on his application for bail after hearing arguments from both sides.
In a statement issued on Sunday, his spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye, said recent developments surrounding the case point to a coordinated effort aimed at discrediting El-Rufai and influencing the legal process.
He pointed to an incident in February when, according to him, there were plans to arrest El-Rufai immediately after he landed in Abuja from Cairo. The situation, he said, signaled the beginning of persistent actions against the former governor.
Adekeye explained that El-Rufai later responded to an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on February 16, after which he was taken into custody and subsequently moved to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The statement also took issue with a recent report that alleged gunmen attacked the home of a principal witness in the trial. The witness reportedly hinted that the attack might be connected to his role in the case.
El-Rufai dismissed the claim outright, insisting that he has no link to any such incident and describing the allegation as an attempt to damage his credibility in the eyes of the public and the court.
His camp argued that the timing of the report raises concerns about its intention, especially as the court prepares to rule on his bail request. They believe the narrative seeks to justify his continued detention.
El-Rufai has instructed his legal team to initiate defamation proceedings against the publication, maintaining that false claims must be challenged through lawful means.
The statement further claimed that he has endured repeated criticism and negative portrayals since 2023, which it described as unjustified and targeted.
Calling for justice, the former governor urged authorities to respect the rule of law and ensure that his rights as a citizen are protected throughout the legal process.