Sharia council calls for review of El-Rufai's continued detention

The Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria has urged authorities to review the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, focusing on the difficulty he has reportedly faced in meeting bail conditions.

In a statement signed by Secretary-General Nafi'u Baba-Ahmad, the council said every Nigerian is entitled to fundamental rights and the presumption of innocence until a competent court establishes guilt. It said that principle should apply regardless of a person's status, political affiliation or personal views.

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Like every Nigerian, Malam Nasir El-Rufai is entitled to his fundamental rights and is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

The council said it did not support criminality, but argued that the pursuit of justice must itself follow established legal procedures and constitutional safeguards. It called on authorities to operate within the Constitution and existing laws at every stage of the case.

The statement also urged restraint from all stakeholders. The council warned that conduct perceived as politically motivated persecution could damage trust in state institutions, saying justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. It linked the credibility of public institutions to Nigeria's unity and long-term stability.

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Justice must not only be done but must be manifestly seen to be done.