By Kingston Magare 24.2.2026
Detained former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai’s nosebleed in custody has sparked a reaction from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Writing Tuesday on his X social media platform Atiku stated that President Bola Tinubu’s administration will be held accountable if anything happens to Mr. El-Rufai who is facing Cybercrime charges brought by the Department of State Services.
El-Rufai was detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and then transferred to the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).
“Reports that he suffered a nosebleed while family members were allegedly denied access are deeply troubling and unacceptable in a democracy,” Atiku said.
“If the authorities cannot guarantee his health and fundamental rights, the lawful and humane course of action is to grant him bail without delay. If anything happens to El-Rufai, this government will be held accountable.”
Atiku argued that perception of political persecution of opponents by the Tinubu government keeps growing, noting that justice must be transparent.
He said, “More troubling, however, is the growing perception of selective prosecution, in which opposition figures are aggressively pursued while others are conspicuously shielded from investigation or interrogation. Anti-corruption must not become a political weapon.
“The continued detention of El-Rufai under unclear circumstances raises serious questions about motive. Anti-corruption cannot be credible when it appears partisan, coercive, or strategically timed.
“Justice must be transparent. Accountability must be even-handed. And the rule of law must apply to all; without fear, without favour, and without political bias.”
Detained former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai’s nosebleed in custody has sparked a reaction from
former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Writing Tuesday on his X social media platform Atiku stated that President Bola Tinubu’s administration will be held accountable if anything happens to Mr. El-Rufai who is facing Cybercrime charges brought by the Department of State Services.
El-Rufai was detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and then transferred to the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).
“Reports that he suffered a nosebleed while family members were allegedly denied access are deeply troubling and unacceptable in a democracy,” Atiku said.
“If the authorities cannot guarantee his health and fundamental rights, the lawful and humane course of action is to grant him bail without delay. If anything happens to El-Rufai, this government will be held accountable.”
Atiku argued that perception of political persecution of opponents by the Tinubu government keeps growing, noting that justice must be transparent.
He said, “More troubling, however, is the growing perception of selective prosecution, in which opposition figures are aggressively pursued while others are conspicuously shielded from investigation or interrogation. Anti-corruption must not become a political weapon.
“The continued detention of El-Rufai under unclear circumstances raises serious questions about motive. Anti-corruption cannot be credible when it appears partisan, coercive, or strategically timed.
“Justice must be transparent. Accountability must be even-handed. And the rule of law must apply to all; without fear, without favour, and without political bias.”