Civil rights activist Aisha Yesufu has urged the Nigerian government to uphold the rule of law and ensure that former Nasir El-Rufai receives a fair trial, warning against indefinite detention without due process.
In a public statement, Yesufu emphasized that justice should not be influenced by personal opinions about an individual’s popularity or unpopularity. She stressed that a democratic government must respect constitutional guarantees, including the right to a fair hearing.
“Yes, many of us disagreed with El-Rufai’s actions as governor. But justice cannot depend on who we like or dislike,” she said, adding that if there is evidence of wrongdoing, the proper course is to present it in a competent court.
Yesufu criticized the idea of holding citizens indefinitely without trial, describing it as “not justice” and likening it to persecution. She warned that such a practice could set a dangerous precedent, where anyone who displeases those in power could be detained without accountability.
Her message was clear: “Charge him to court or release him. Let justice be done openly, lawfully, and transparently. That is the only way a nation that claims to respect the rule of law should act.”
