Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has expressed concerns over the circumstances surrounding the reported release of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The release came after El-Rufai's mother, Hajiya Umma, passed away in Egypt.
According to reports, ICPC released El-Rufai on Friday, sparking questions about the legitimacy of the process. Effiong took to social media platform X to question the legality of the release, arguing that a suspect remanded by a court order cannot be released without proper recourse to the same court. He drew parallels with the late Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti's criticism of government actions, describing the situation as "another government magic."
Effiong has called on the ICPC to clarify the procedure it followed in securing El-Rufai's release, especially as the former governor's motion for bail is scheduled to be heard on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
The ICPC's decision to release Nasir El-Rufai without proper clearance from the court raises serious questions about the integrity of Nigeria's anti-corruption efforts. The ICPC must provide a clear explanation for its actions, particularly in light of El-Rufai's pending bail hearing. This move undermines public trust in institutions and highlights the need for accountability and transparency. The ICPC must demonstrate that it is committed to upholding the law, rather than playing politics with the justice system.
