Human rights activist Chidi Odinkalu urges former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai to face legal accountability following his custody by ICPC

Human rights activist and lawyer, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, has called on former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, to accept the consequences of his actions while in office, describing his current predicament as an opportunity to embrace accountability.

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El-Rufai was confirmed to be in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Thursday.

He had been arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) shortly after being released on bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday.

He was subsequently handed over to the ICPC.

Odinkalu, a former chairman of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission, criticised El-Rufai for what he described as impunity, recklessness, and brutality during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State.

“I’ll start from the principle premise that every citizen deserves due process and every person should be treated equally under law. What that means is that no one should be granted impunity because of their political profile or status. If they have done things that warrant legal accountability, they should face due process. And I think he [El-Rufai] has,” Odinkalu said.

The activist referenced past incidents under El-Rufai’s administration, including the abduction and killing of the late Dr Rafael Galadima and alleged human rights violations against communities, political opponents, and non-Muslims in Kaduna State.

“There were communities that he converted at his whim, from kingdoms to emirates, which dispossessed non-Muslims of community leadership. People had their lands expropriated. Political opponents had their houses demolished. I don’t think El-Rufai has any grounds to complain about due process,” Odinkalu stated.

He added that El-Rufai had actively campaigned to bring the current administration to power alongside President Bola Tinubu, questioning the legitimacy of any complaints from the former governor regarding legal scrutiny.

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Odinkalu’s comments highlight growing calls for accountability among former public office holders and underscore the ICPC’s role in investigating alleged abuses of power by political leaders.