The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has called on relevant authorities to ensure that former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, receives due process in the legal proceedings surrounding his detention.
The council expressed concern over what it described as the prolonged detention and prosecution of the former governor, stressing that constitutional safeguards must apply regardless of an individual’s political status or the allegations against them.
In its intervention, the council said the pursuit of justice must remain consistent with the rule of law and should not be influenced by political considerations.
It maintained that raising concerns over El-Rufai’s treatment should not be interpreted as an attempt to shield anyone from accountability.
Rather, the council said, any allegations against the former governor should be tested through transparent legal proceedings and determined by the courts.
The intervention comes as El-Rufai continues to face legal proceedings over allegations linked to his time as Kaduna governor. The former governor has denied wrongdoing.
The council particularly stressed the importance of respecting the presumption of innocence and ensuring that the former governor’s fundamental rights are protected throughout the judicial process.
It urged the authorities handling the matter to allow the courts to determine the substance of the allegations while ensuring that the process itself remains fair, transparent and lawful.