Why El-Rufai may not be released until after election – Abati

Veteran journalist and former presidential aide, Reuben Abati, has suggested that former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai may remain in custody until after the election, citing political considerations alongside legal proceedings in the case.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Wednesday, Abati described El-Rufai’s bail conditions as stringent and noted that the court had declined to vary them despite the former governor’s reported difficulty in meeting a key requirement.

Abati pointed that El-Rufai was required to produce a Level 17 official from the Federal Capital Territory as part of his bail conditions, a condition he reportedly said he could not fulfil.

Abati further noted that the case involves allegations relating to wiretapping and corruption, among other issues, adding that proceedings have been adjourned until September.

He said the situation appeared to have both legal and political dimensions, expressing the view that El-Rufai was unlikely to secure release before the election.

Abati said: “The bail conditions for El-Rufai, yes, they are very stringent, but the way I see it, there is more involved. There is also politics involved.

“He’s been told to look for a level 17 official from the federal capital territory. He says he doesn’t have. The court is not willing to vary the conditions for him.

“It’s a very complex case because he has issues with regard to wire tapping, issues with regard to, you know, other allegations about corruption, about what he did, and then the case has been postponed till September.

“So the way it looks in terms of real politics, I don’t think they will do anything about releasing Nasir El-Rufai until after the election.

“You should just know that this is politics, but this is also about responsibility and accountability.

“We cannot challenge the court in terms of what the court decides. It is within the discretion of the court to say these are the bail conditions, and he says he cannot meet at least one principal bail condition.”