Eminent journalist and lawyer queries El-Rufai’s release by ICPC

An eminent journalist, who is also a lawyer, Richard Akinnola, has queried the decision of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to unilaterally release a former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, to attend the burial of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai.

The Eagle Online recalls El-Rufai’s mother died in Cairo, Egypt on Friday while the former governor was in the custody of the ICPC.

Reacting to the release of the former governor on compassionate grounds by the ICPC to attend Hajiya Umma’s burial, Akinnola said it was not grounded in law.

In a statement on Saturday, titled: “El-Rufai’ release by the ICPC,” he said: “Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, unfortunately lost his mother yesterday while on court remand in ICPC custody.

“El-Rufai’s bail application has not yet been heard. 

“The court ordered that he be remanded in the ICPC custody pending the hearing of his bail application next week. 

“So, under which order did the ICPC release him for his mum’s burial? 

“I don’t get it.

“It would have been a different thing if he had not been charged to court, hence, ICPC could have released him on compassionate grounds, even though he was being illegally held. 

“But since the court is seized of the matter, the agency cannot whimsically release him.”