‘Continuing to detain El-Rufai without convicting him unjust’ – Kaduna cleric

A renowned Islamic cleric, Malam Sunusi Khalil, has called for justice in the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufa’i, questioning why he has remained in detention without being convicted of any offence.

Khalil made the call while delivering his Friday sermon at his mosque in Kaduna State.

The cleric said anyone arrested for an alleged offence should be taken through due process of law and, where found guilty, sentenced accordingly, stressing that indefinite detention without conviction was unjust.

He said: “Anyone who is arrested for committing an offence should be tried and sentenced, regardless of the length of the sentence. At least, they know that one day they will be released. But continuing to detain El-Rufa’i without convicting him is unjust.”

Khalil also questioned the circumstances surrounding the former governor’s continued detention, saying the public deserved to know what had transpired between El-Rufa’i and Governor Uba Sani.

According to him, El-Rufa’i had supported Uba Sani politically and provided opportunities for him during his administration.

“You told us that El-Rufa’i is your father, not your friend, because he has done all what a father will do to his son,” he said.

The cleric, however, noted that whatever disagreement might have occurred between the two politicians should not prevent justice from taking its course.

He also referred to appeals reportedly made by Islamic and Northern groups to President Bola Tinubu over El-Rufa’i’s detention, saying the President had denied involvement and directed them to meet with the Kaduna State Governor.

Khalil called on the authorities to explain the circumstances surrounding El-Rufa’i’s detention and urged his immediate release if there was no legal basis for his continued detention.

He further warned political leaders that political power was temporary, urging them not to use political influence, money or strategy to undermine others.

“Allah is the One who gives power to whoever He wills. Power is temporary; it will surely come to an end, either when one’s tenure ends or when death comes,” he said.

The Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria has also called on relevant authorities to review the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

El-Rufai remains in custody until the next adjourned date, September 22, 2026. By then, he will have spent 217 days in detention, beginning from the date of his detention on February 16, 2026. However, he was released for two days to bury his mother.

He was arrested over charges bordering on alleged abuse of office, money laundering and wiretapping.