El-Rufai Has Spent Seven Months In Detention Without Conviction – Emir Sanusi

MaTaZ ArIsInG
Dallas, Texas

Sanusi said Nigeria already has institutions and courts responsible for investigating and prosecuting corruption cases, but alleged that political considerations sometimes influence how such cases are handled.

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has raised concerns over the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, saying he has spent seven months in detention without being convicted.

Sanusi spoke in an interview with Channels Television in Lagos during the public presentation of Unexplained Wealth: A Trilogy of Nigerian Financial Law, a three-volume work authored by anti-corruption lawyer, Dr Wahab Shittu (SAN).

The Emir said while reviewing existing laws to address unexplained wealth was important, greater attention should also be paid to the implementation of those laws and the institutions responsible for enforcing them.

“I think what Dr. Shittu has done is to look at the laws. I’m not a lawyer, I’m still an undergraduate law student and this would be something that I would find extremely useful in my studies, but clearly what he’s done is to create an analysis of what exists and also identify weaknesses and make proposals for what needs to be done to identify unexplained wealth and to also ensure that it is used as part of the war against corruption.”

Sanusi said Nigeria already has institutions and courts responsible for investigating and prosecuting corruption cases, but alleged that political considerations sometimes influence how such cases are handled.

“But like I said, the laws are one thing. Even the existing laws we have need to be implemented better. You have institutions that are supposed to identify corrupt people and prosecute them. You have courts that are supposed to do it.”

He alleged that some corruption cases have been dropped because those involved had political backing, while some legal proceedings had raised questions over whether they were aimed at fighting corruption or amounted to political persecution.

“We have seen in this country people who are facing corruption charges who basically just get those charges dropped because they belong to the right political environment or have the right political support.”

Sanusi then cited El-Rufai’s case, saying the former Kaduna governor had been denied bail and had spent seven months in detention without being convicted.

“An example is my brother Nasir El-Rufai who’s been denied bail. He’s been in detention for seven months, not having been convicted for anything using the courts.”

He questioned whether cases such as El-Rufai’s were being pursued strictly as anti-corruption matters or were being influenced by political considerations.

“So people begin to wonder is this really a fight against corruption or is it a political battle?”

El-Rufai was initially detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16, 2026, after he reported to the agency over allegations of financial impropriety relating to his tenure as Kaduna governor.

Channels Television reported that he was granted administrative bail by the EFCC on February 18 but was immediately taken into the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The ICPC said he was being held in connection with ongoing investigations.

The ICPC later obtained a remand order allowing it to keep El-Rufai in custody while investigations continued. His family and lawyers subsequently challenged the legality of his continued detention, while the ICPC maintained that it was acting within due process.

The former governor was arraigned in March in connection with alleged financial crimes, including allegations of conversion and possession of public property and money laundering. A separate case filed before the Kaduna State High Court included allegations of abuse of office, fraud and conferring undue advantage. El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to the charges.

His detention and the handling of his bail applications have continued to generate political and legal reactions. In March, ADC chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo called for his release and argued that he should either be tried or granted bail. Peter Obi also criticised the detention, describing it as “political persecution.” Those were their respective positions.

By June, El-Rufai was facing separate proceedings involving allegations of abuse of office, financial impropriety and money laundering. He and the other defendants denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty.

In a separate case brought by the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged interception of the telephone communications of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, El-Rufai has also pleaded not guilty. The court is expected to rule on his no-case submission on October 26, 2026.

Sanusi said the focus should not only be on changing laws but also on ensuring that institutions charged with enforcing them operate effectively.

“Now until the politicians and those who control political office and the judiciary decide that they are going to use these laws for the purpose for which they are set up, we’re not going to get anywhere.”

He added: “So the laws are one thing and I think it’s a good thing that we’re looking at the laws, but we also have to look at the institutions that are involved in the promotion of the law and that is how you make progress. Otherwise anyone knows that you can get away with anything if you have the right political connections.”

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