Peter Obi describes detention of El-Rufai as political persecution...

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has criticised the continued detention of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, describing it as political persecution.

CBI News reports that Obi made the remarks on Sunday during a meeting with stakeholders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna, where he stressed the importance of upholding the rule of law.

According to him, the treatment of El-Rufai contradicts legal principles that guarantee dignity and fairness until guilt is established.

“It is a political persecution. We have a law, and that law allows for people to be treated with dignity until they are found guilty. Let our law prevail,” Obi said.

“How do you tell somebody you’re inviting him, and he came back voluntarily in the country on his own, and you’re treating him like somebody who was running away? No. Let the law follow his cause. I’ve said it. I’ve written about it, and I continue to say so.”

El-Rufai, who left office as Kaduna State governor in 2023, has been in ICPC custody since February 19 after being transferred from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He is also facing charges filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged cybercrime, with a court hearing scheduled for April 23, 2026.

The former governor has filed suits against both the DSS and ICPC, accusing the agencies of abuse of power and unlawful detention.

Meanwhile, the ICPC has maintained that his detention is part of ongoing investigations into allegations of money laundering and abuse of office.