Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has claimed that the recent temporary release of Nasir El-Rufai confirms that his detention is politically driven.
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) took El-Rufai into custody on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Kaduna shortly after court proceedings.
The former Kaduna State governor is currently facing trial over alleged corruption charges brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The court had earlier adjourned the case until April 14 for a bail hearing. However, El-Rufai was re-arrested by DSS operatives following the adjournment.
In a statement issued by Atiku’s aide, Paul Ibe, it was alleged that the authorities initially released El-Rufai in a failed attempt to influence him, but resorted to further actions after their efforts did not succeed.
According to the statement, the release itself reinforces claims that the former governor’s detention and prosecution are politically motivated.
