Emulate DSS, arraign or release El-Rufai – ADC Chieftain Okai to ICPC

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Usman Okai Austin, has called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, to follow the legal precedent set by the Department of State Services, DSS, by either charging former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai to court or releasing him immediately.

In a statement he issued on Saturday, Okai criticized the ICPC’s decision to detain the former Governor of Kaduna State before concluding its investigation.

He contrasted this with the recent conduct of the DSS, which he noted has prioritized judicial process over “drama and a show of power.”

According to Okai: “The DSS’s decision to approach a court of law rather than resorting to arbitrary detention is both civil and democratic.

“The proper way to handle such matters is to let the court decide through merit-based arguments. In contrast, the ICPC’s current trajectory appears to place the agency above the law.”

Okai argued that detaining an individual before completing an investigation is “retrograde, undemocratic, and illegal.”

He pointed out that El-Rufai demonstrated full cooperation by voluntarily honoring an invitation from the EFCC, proving he is not a flight risk.

The statement also questioned the lack of transparency regarding El-Rufai’s transfer between agencies.

“The EFCC has yet to clarify whether Mallam El-Rufai was officially handed over to the ICPC or re-arrested after being granted administrative bail. This ambiguity undermines the rule of law,” he said.

Okai emphasized that protecting the rights of the innocent until proven guilty is a fundamental requirement of international best practice.

He warned anti-corruption agencies against becoming “tools of oppression.”

“Detaining a suspect before commencing an investigation is a gross abuse of the right to a fair hearing.

“The ICPC must uphold the standards of a civilized society. If there is a case against El-Rufai, argue it in court. If not, he must be released immediately,” he added.

Emulate DSS, arraign or release El-Rufai – ADC Chieftain Okai to ICPC