BY VICTOR BURUO – The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has broken its silence, slamming anti-graft authorities over what it describes as the politically motivated persecution and continued detention of the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai.
Raising fresh concerns and warning that arbitrary state actions risk destroying public trust in national institutions, the Islamic body demanded that concerned authorities should immediately respect constitutional due process and the presumption of innocence in the case against Malam El-Rufai.
The former governor currently remains behind bars having been dragged to court by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), facing a rigorous nine-count amended corruption trial.
ICPC prosecutors alleged that El-Rufai was involved in massive state-level misconduct during his time in office, spanning fraud, money laundering, abuse of office, irregular award of public contracts, and the unlawful diversion of public funds. This is aside from also facing a five-count amended charge instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations of unlawfully taping of telephone conversations linked to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu.
In a statement signed by its Secretary General, Nafiu Baba Ahmad, SCSN said El-Rufai, like every other Nigerian, is entitled to his fundamental rights and presumed innocent until proven guilty by court, even as it maintained that it does not condone criminality in any form.
The Council insisted that the legal process surrounding the high-profile politician must remain strictly transparent, impartial, and free from political interference, adding that strict adherence to the rule of law is sacrosanct and must apply to all citizens of the country, irrespective of their status.
Warning that circumstances surrounding El-Rufai’s case raised questions about compliance with established legal procedures, the SCSN statement said: “As an organization committed to justice, fairness, and the rule of law, the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) believes that Nigeria operates under a constitutional democracy where the rights and liberties of all citizens must be respected, irrespective of status, political affiliation, or personal disposition.
“The principles of due process, fair hearing, and lawful detention are not optional, but fundamental pillars of justice that must be upheld at all times.”
The Council urged relevant authorities to ensure due process in pursuing the case, act within the remit of the law and avoid actions capable of being perceived as politically motivated persecution, adding: “The Council therefore wishes to state unequivocally that it does not, under any circumstances, support or condone criminality in any form by anyone.
“However, the pursuit of justice must itself be just. Actions perceived as arbitrary, politically motivated, or inconsistent with the rule of law risk undermining public confidence in state institutions and eroding the very fabric of democratic governance.
“Accordingly, the Council calls on the relevant authorities to act strictly within the confines of the Constitution and all extant laws by ensuring that due process is followed at every stage. The Council further urges authorities to refrain from any actions that may be perceived as politically motivated persecution, and instead demonstrate an unwavering commitment to fairness, transparency, and the rule of law.”
The statement further said: “Nigeria’s unity and long-term stability are inextricably tied to the credibility of its institutions and the trust reposed in them by the citizenry. Justice must not only be done but must be manifestly seen to be done. The consistent, impartial, and lawful application of justice remains the strongest safeguard for national cohesion and sustainable development.
“The Council reiterates its steadfast commitment to advocating for justice, protecting the rights of all citizens, and fostering peaceful coexistence across the country. It calls on all stakeholders to exercise restraint and responsibility, and to always act in accordance with the dictates of the law.”
