Kenneth Okonkwo Alleges Tinubu Targeting El-Rufai Over Defection to ADC
Former Labour Party presidential campaign spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, has accused President Bola Tinubu of allegedly targeting former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai due to his defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Okonkwo made the claim on Friday during an appearance on The Morning Brief on Channels Television, commenting on reports about El-Rufai’s detention.
“We believe that El-Rufai is being maltreated and persecuted because he joined the ADC. We are not exculpating anybody, but it is the court of law that should decide, not President Tinubu.
“For now, he is using his authority as Commander-in-Chief to wield anti-corruption agencies against the opposition. I wonder if there is even a commission truly fighting corruption in Tinubu’s regime.”
Legal Rights and Detention Concerns
The Nollywood veteran-turned-politician emphasized that the Federal Government cannot legally detain any suspect beyond 48 hours without granting bail. He argued that the proper course of action should be to release El-Rufai while allowing due legal process to take place.
“The first thing President Tinubu should do is release El-Rufai. We are not saying he should not face trial, but his fundamental human rights must be protected. Forty-eight hours is the legal limit for detention without bail. The government does not have the power to extend that indefinitely.”
Okonkwo also stressed that in criminal proceedings, the burden of proof lies with the prosecution, and mere accusations should not justify prolonged detention.
“It is the prosecution’s responsibility to prove guilt. Accusations alone cannot serve as grounds for arrest or keeping someone in detention beyond what the law allows.”
