The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has reportedly called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure due process in the case involving former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, urging that he be either formally charged in court or released on bail.

The call was conveyed in a sermon shared online by Islamic scholar Sanusi Khalil, who said the Sultan emphasized the importance of following legal procedures rather than arbitrary detention.

According to Khalil, the Sultan maintained that the request does not preclude accountability but stresses adherence to the rule of law. “He is not saying a perpetrator should not be punished; rather, he is requesting due process should be followed,” the cleric said.

The Sultan also reportedly raised concerns about the presence of United States troops in Northern Nigeria, questioning the purpose of their deployment and whether plans exist to establish a permanent military base in the region.

Khalil expressed support for the Sultan’s position, noting that such concerns require leadership voices. “We at our level can’t ask such hard-hitting questions… but I am glad leaders like the Sultan are asking the right questions,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) clarified that El-Rufai’s detention is based on a valid court order, not a new directive.

ICPC spokesperson Okor Odey said the commission appeared in court to respond to an application filed by El-Rufai seeking to overturn a remand order issued on March 5.

He added that all actions taken so far comply with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, noting that the initial detention period of 14 days was extended by the court to allow further investigation.

The development highlights ongoing legal and political tensions surrounding El-Rufai’s detention, with calls for transparency and adherence to judicial processes.