Fresh Battle as Sultan of Sokoto Challenges Tinubu over Detaining El-Rufai

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has urged President Bola Tinubu to take immediate action regarding former Kaduna State Governor, Nasiru El-Rufai.

The Sultan’s statement, conveyed through a sermon shared online by Islamic scholar Sanusi Khalil, calls for either the release of El-Rufai or his formal arraignment in a competent court.

The Sultan emphasized the importance of due process, stating, “Nasir should either be arraigned before a competent court or released on bail while investigations continue.”

He clarified that while accountability for any wrongdoing is necessary, the legal procedures must be properly followed.

The Sultan’s position centres on the need for fairness and adherence to legal procedures. He stressed that justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done, especially in matters involving high-profile political figures.

Beyond the issue of El-Rufai’s detention, the Sultan also reportedly raised concerns over security developments in Northern Nigeria. He questioned the presence of American troops in the region and sought clarity on their mission.

According to Khalil, the monarch asked whether the deployment was strictly for training purposes or part of a broader plan to establish a permanent military base.

“If a base is going to be provided for them, then why must it be established in Northern Nigeria?” Khalil quoted the Sultan as asking.

The cleric backed the Sultan’s intervention, noting that such concerns are often difficult for ordinary citizens to raise. “We at our level can’t ask such hard-hitting questions, it might be tagged as disrespectful, but I am glad leaders like the Sultan are asking the right questions, and he will always have our support and prayers,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has defended El-Rufai’s continued detention. The agency said its actions are based on an existing court order, dismissing suggestions of arbitrary detention.

ICPC spokesperson, Okor Odey, explained that the commission appeared in court to respond to an application filed by El-Rufai on March 6, seeking to set aside a remand order earlier granted on March 5.

He stated that “All actions taken so far were in strict compliance with the law, including the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015,” adding that the court initially approved a 14-day detention period, which was later extended to allow for further investigation.