The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has called on President Bola Tinubu to either release former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, or formally charge him in court.
According to Islamic scholar Sanusi Khalil, who shared details from a sermon circulating online, the Sultan emphasized the need for due process.
He stated that El-Rufai should be arraigned before a competent court or granted bail while investigations continue, stressing that justice must follow legal procedures.
The Sultan also reportedly expressed concern over the presence of American troops in Northern Nigeria.
He questioned whether their mission was strictly for training purposes or if there were plans to establish a permanent military base in the region, asking why such a base would be located in the North.
Khalil praised the Sultan for raising critical national issues, noting that such concerns might be difficult for others to voice.
Meanwhile, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) clarified that El-Rufai’s detention is based on a valid court order, not a new directive.
ICPC spokesperson Okor Odey explained that the agency appeared in court to respond to El-Rufai’s application challenging his remand.
He added that all actions taken comply with the law, including the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, and that the court had approved and extended the detention period for ongoing investigations.