RELEASE EL-RUFAI; LET THE COURTS DECIDE Business Day Editorial (Monday, 5th October 2026) NIGERIA'S FIGHT against corruption must not become a fight against due process. This is the central issue raised by the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai and it is a question that deserves serious national attention. The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, recently questioned how a former governor could spend months in detention without a conviction, warning that such cases inevitably raise questions about whether anti-corruption laws are being applied consistently. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has also called for El-Rufai's release, insisting that every Nigerian is entitled to due process, equal protection under the law and the presumption ot innocence: These interventions should not be interpreted as a demand that El-Rufai be exempted from investigation or prosecution. Rather, they raise a more fundamental question: must detention become the punishment before the court has determined guilt? There is an important distinction between investigating a suspect, prosecuting an accused person and punishing a convicted criminal. Nigeria's anti-corruption agencies have a legitimate responsibility to investigate allegations against public officials. Where evidence exists, those responsible should face trial. If convicted, they should face the appropriate consequences. But the existence of allegations does not, by itself, establish guilt. El-Rufai has pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him. The ICPC itself has confirmed that his detention was initially authorised through court-issued remand orders while investigations proceeded. It has also maintained that it is acting within the law. That position deserves to be acknowledged. So does the other side of the argument: court authorised detention is not the same thing as conviction. The longer the process continues, the more important it becomes for the judicial system to determine whether continued detention remains necessary and proportionate. If the prosecution has sufficient evidence, the logical course is to present it before the courts and allow the trial to proceed expeditiously. If detention is no longer necessary to protect the investigation or ensure the administration of justice, reasonable bail should be considered. This is particularly important because El-Rufai is facing multiple proceedings. In one ICPC case, he and others were arraigned over allegations involving corruption, money laundering and an N8.68 billion CCTV contract, which he pleaded not guilty to. In another matter, he faces allegations concerning money laundering, abuse of office and fraud, which he has also denied. There is also a separate DSS case concerning alleged unlawful interception of telephone communications involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. El-Rufai has pleaded not guilty, and the Federal High Court has fixed October 26 to rule on his no-case submission. These cases should be allowed to take their proper legal course. The courts, not political actors, should ultimately determine whether the allegations have been proved. This is why releasing El-Rufai on reasonable conditions, where legally appropriate should not be confused with stopping the prosecution. It would simply allow the trial to continue without making prolongec pre-trial custody an additional punishment. Indeed, Nigeria's credibility in fighting corruption depends not only on how many politically exposed persons are arrested or arraigned but on whether investigations are transparent, prosecutons are timely and suspects receive equal treatment regardless of political affiliation. 1/2

DAY 231 IN DETENTION: A CALL FOR JUSTICE FOR MALLAM NASIR EL-RUFAI The entire national and diaspora membership of the El-Rufai Support Group Association (ERSGA) under the able, focused, and courageous leadership of our Director General, Dr. Uche Diala, stands united today as we mark 231 DAYS of the unjust detention of our mentor, leader, and father of modern reform, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, CON. We State Categorically: 1. Mallam is not just a politician. He is a REFORMER, a FOUNDER of the APC, a RESTORER of Abuja, and the ARCHITECT of modern Kaduna . His records from BPE (1999-2003) to FCT (2003-2007) to Kaduna (2015-2023) are indelible and verifiable. 2. Detaining a man of his stature for 231 days without justice is an assault on democracy, rule of law, and the political school of thought that believes governance must be based on merit and courage. 3. We, the supporters, have remained law-abiding and peaceful. We continue to preach his message of reform and we continue to use our data, our time, and our resources to defend his legacy-even when we have never bought data happily. OUR DEMAND: We demand immediate justice and respect for the rule of law. Let due process prevail. Let Mallam Nasir be free. The leadership of ERSGA under Dr. Uche Diala assures all members that our eyes are on the ball and our loyalty is unshaken. Thank you. Signed: Media & Publicity Directorate For: Dr. Uche Diala DG El-Rufai Support Group Association (ERSGA)

#DaysCount 231 DAYS. 231 DAYS .. 231 DAYS & Counting ... Of Unjust & Unjustifiable Incarceration. Rule Of Law Is Not Optional. Bail Is A Right .. Not A Privilege. #FreeElrufaiToday #EnoughIsEnough #NoRetreatNoSurrender #EyesOnTheBall #TheElrufaists #ERSGA