A social media commentator, Imran U. Wakili, has alleged that the sudden release of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, indicates he was unfairly targeted by authorities.
Wakili made the claim in a post on X (formerly Twitter), where he argued that the former governor’s detention was not based on any proven offence but was intended to humiliate him.
He said the timing of El-Rufai’s release raised serious questions about the motive behind his arrest and prolonged detention.
“The sudden release of Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai shows that they were only keeping him to humiliate him, not because he committed any crime,” Wakili wrote.
The commentator further criticised authorities for allegedly denying El-Rufai the opportunity to bid farewell to his late mother while he remained in custody throughout the 30 days of Ramadan.
According to him, the eventual decision to release the former governor—allowing him to attend his mother’s funeral—suggests a partial reconsideration by those responsible.
Wakili added that while the move may reflect “a little conscience,” it also highlights what he described as unjust treatment.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, have condoled with El-Rufai over his mother’s death.
Their messages have drawn mixed reactions on social media, with some users describing the development as a family affair among the political elite.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission had earlier arraigned El-Rufai on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conversion of public property and money laundering.
He was brought before a Federal High Court in Kaduna, which adjourned his bail application till March 31.
However, hours after news of his mother’s death in Cairo, Egypt, broke, the anti-graft agency released the former governor.
El-Rufai has denied all the allegations levelled against him.
