Veteran journalist and former presidential spokesman Reuben Abati has predicted that former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai may not be released from custody until after the upcoming election, citing a mix of stringent legal conditions and political undertones in his ongoing case.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Wednesday, Abati highlighted the challenging bail terms imposed on El-Rufai, which include producing a Level 17 civil servant from the Federal Capital Territory a requirement the former governor has reportedly been unable to meet. The court, according to Abati, has refused to vary these conditions.
Abati described the case as complex, involving serious allegations of wiretapping and corruption. Court proceedings have been adjourned until September.
“The bail conditions for El-Rufai, yes, they are very stringent, but the way I see it, there is more involved. There is also politics involved,” Abati said.
“He’s been told to look for a level 17 official from the federal capital territory. He says he doesn’t have. The court is not willing to vary the conditions for him.”
“It’s a very complex case because he has issues with regard to wire tapping, issues with regard to, you know, other allegations about corruption, about what he did, and then the case has been postponed till September.”
“So the way it looks in terms of real politics, I don’t think they will do anything about releasing Nasir El-Rufai until after the election.”
Abati added, “You should just know that this is politics, but this is also about responsibility and accountability. We cannot challenge the court in terms of what the court decides. It is within the discretion of the court to say these are the bail conditions, and he says he cannot meet at least one principal bail condition.”
The development comes amid reports that El-Rufai recently lost a bid to vary his bail conditions and remains in prison custody.
