The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, and a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, have renewed calls for the release or prosecution of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who has remained in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Obi’s media aide, Idris Zekeri, said the former Anambra State governor believes any allegations against El-Rufai should be tested through due process and determined by a court rather than through prolonged detention without a charge.

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Speaking with Saturday Punch, Zekeri said Obi had repeatedly raised concerns over El-Rufai’s continued detention, adding that the former governor’s rights should be respected.

“Peter Obi has been one of the most vocal since the issue of El-Rufai’s ordeal started. He has made tweets on it, and we still strongly believe that if there is any case against him, it should be established instead of detaining him unlawfully for an extended period of time without actually dealing with the issue,” Zekeri said.

He added that Obi had previously addressed the matter at a press conference, stressing that “no Nigerian should be suffering extended detention without a charge and without his rights being respected.”

El-Rufai has remained in ICPC custody amid investigations and separate court proceedings. The anti-graft agency has maintained that court orders support his detention, while the former governor has challenged aspects of the proceedings and his continued detention.

On Tuesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja reserved judgment on El-Rufai’s no-case submission in a case involving alleged unlawful interception of telephone communications belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. The court fixed October 26 for judgment.

The former governor’s ₦1 billion fundamental rights suit against the ICPC, Inspector-General of Police and Attorney-General of the Federation was also adjourned until October 27.

Meanwhile, Momodu, who served as Deputy Director-General of the Atiku Presidential Campaign Council’s Media and Communications Directorate, criticised El-Rufai’s continued detention during an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief.

Momodu also defended the ADC’s decision to give El-Rufai a position within its political structure despite his detention. He argued that the former governor’s role in the political process that preceded President Bola Tinubu’s emergence should not be ignored.

According to Momodu, El-Rufai was among those who supported Tinubu’s political emergence, alongside former President Muhammadu Buhari and former First Lady Aisha Buhari.

He also rejected claims that El-Rufai’s political style should be used to justify his current treatment, arguing that the former governor had previously enjoyed the support of the same political establishment.

Momodu said El-Rufai remained a significant political figure in northern Nigeria, particularly the North-West, while stressing that the former governor’s case should ultimately be left to due process and the courts.