Atiku Condemns Excessive Bail Conditions, Calls El‑Rufai Detention Unjust
Former Vice President and ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has criticised the continued detention of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El‑Rufai, saying the bail terms set by the Federal High Court are excessively harsh.
The court declined to review the bail conditions, prompting Atiku’s spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, to issue a statement warning that bail that is manifestly excessive, unreasonable or impossible to fulfil defeats its purpose and amounts to punishment before conviction.
Atiku argued that the situation raises serious concerns about constitutional liberties, the administration of justice, and the growing tendency to use legal processes as a weapon against political opponents.
He acknowledged that courts have discretion to set bail conditions, but stressed that this discretion must be exercised judicially and judiciously.
Quoting the principle of presumption of innocence, he said: “An accused person remains innocent until proven guilty. Bail exists to preserve that constitutional protection. It was never designed to become a sophisticated instrument for punishment before conviction.”
He questioned the rationale behind conditions that require a defendant to produce a serving Grade Level 17 federal civil servant who also owns verifiable property in Maitama or Asokoro, among other demanding requirements, asking whether the goal is to grant bail or to make it unattainable.
Atiku warned that the danger of such a precedent extends beyond El‑Rufai, stating that today it affects him, but tomorrow it could be any citizen whose liberty depends on meeting conditions few Nigerians can satisfy.
He concluded that the matter is about the principles that underpin a democratic society governed by the rule of law.
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