El-Rufai marks 256 days in detention, demands fair trial

File photo: Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has renewed his call for a fair trial, marking 256 days in detention and insisting that justice must be upheld in accordance with the law.

El-Rufai made the position known in a statement shared on his official X account on Friday, describing a fair trial as a fundamental human right rather than a privilege or favour.

The post read, “El-Rufai Detention Update. Today Exactly 256 days @elrufai in Detention. A Human Right, Not a Favor. A fair trial is not an act of mercy. It is not a privilege. It is a fundamental human right.”

The former governor has been in custody since February 16, 2026, following his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over allegations of financial mismanagement during his administration in Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023.

The allegations followed a report by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which raised concerns over the management of approximately ₦423 billion to ₦432 billion during his eight-year tenure.

He was subsequently transferred to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as investigations and legal proceedings continued.

El-Rufai is also facing a separate case instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged unlawful interception of telephone communications belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

The charges reportedly followed comments made by the former governor during a television interview. He has pleaded not guilty to the allegations against him.

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Although courts have granted bail in some of the cases, stringent conditions attached to the decisions have reportedly prevented his release.

He was briefly released in March on compassionate grounds to attend his mother’s burial before returning to detention.

In the wiretapping case, a Federal High Court in Abuja recently dismissed his no-case submission and ordered him to enter his defence, with further proceedings expected to continue.

The prolonged detention has attracted reactions from supporters and opposition figures, some of whom have questioned the circumstances surrounding his continued custody and called for respect for his fundamental rights.

However, authorities maintain that the cases against him involve ongoing investigations and allegations relating to corruption and national security offences.