You need court order to back El-Rufai’s release – Adeyanju to ICPC

Activist lawyer Deji Adeyanju has commended the “humane” decision to grant former Governor Nasir El-Rufai temporary release for his mother’s funeral, while emphasizing that such a move must be strictly supported by a judicial directive to maintain legal integrity.

Activist lawyer Deji Adeyanju has described the decision to grant former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai temporary release from the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as a commendable and “humane” gesture. In a formal statement released on Friday, March 27, 2026, Adeyanju argued that allowing the former governor to attend his mother’s burial rites reflects a necessary balance between the enforcement of the law and the preservation of fundamental human dignity. The activist noted that such concessions should be viewed as compassionate accommodations rather than an attempt to undermine the ongoing anti-corruption proceedings against the former state executive.

However, the human rights lawyer raised a critical procedural point, stressing that because El-Rufai was held under a specific court order, his temporary exit must be validated by a corresponding judicial directive. “The decision to grant Mallam Nasir El-Rufai temporary release from Independent Corrupt Practices Commission custody to attend his mother’s burial is both humane and commendable but must be backed by court decision/order since he was remanded in custody on the order of the court,” Adeyanju stated. He warned that maintaining the proper legal trail is essential to ensure that administrative actions do not inadvertently bypass the authority of the judiciary during high-profile criminal trials.

Adeyanju further clarified that the granting of bail or temporary release in such sensitive circumstances should not be misinterpreted by the public as a sign of weakness or an escape from accountability. He maintained that the legal system must remain flexible enough to recognize “deserving circumstances” without sacrificing the core tenets of justice. “Bail, whether administrative or judicial, should not be misconstrued as an escape from accountability, but rather as a lawful and compassionate accommodation,” he added. As El-Rufai prepares for the burial of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, the legal community continues to debate the procedural boundaries of compassionate release in the Nigerian context.

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