By RhemdDy News
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the forthcoming 2027 general elections, Peter Obi, has reacted to the appeal by Hajiya Asia El-Rufai, wife of former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai for 'fair' bail condition for her husband.
Obi said justice must be transparent and fair, with reasonable bail conditions that should not be seen as punitive before trial.
Hajiya Asia alongside another El-Rufai's wife, Aichatou, had at their Abuja residence, said the family was not asking President President Bola Tinubu to interfere with the ongoing trial of their husband but to ensure that the former governor enjoyed the constitutional rights guaranteed to every Nigerian.
“Please, I am not asking you to tell them not to prosecute him, but we are asking you to allow him the basic human rights that the Constitution you swore to uphold and defend guarantees.
“Let them give him the bail that he can afford. If he is guilty, let the court decide. If he is innocent, let the court decide,” she pleaded.
Reacting to the appeal, Obi, who was currently in the United States, in a statement titled: "A Wife’s Tears, A Nation’s Conscience: Let Justice Have a Heart", on his Facebook page, urged the government to ensure justice for all Nigerian citizens.
"I woke this morning in America and was deeply moved by an emotional viral video of Hajiya Asiya El-Rufai, prompting deep reflection on our nation’s future.
"Regardless of the allegations against Mallam Nasir El-Rufai or any other citizen, justice must be transparent and fair, with reasonable bail conditions that should not be seen as punitive before trial.
"In a democracy governed by the rule of law, institutions exist to protect every citizen's rights, regardless of their background.
"We must resist any hint of selective justice that erodes public trust and threatens national unity. Those tasked with enforcing our laws must act professionally and strictly follow due process", Obi stated.
He urged all to strive for a Nigeria where the law is paramount, and where every citizen is guaranteed dignity and justice. "This is the foundation of the New Nigeria we envisage," he said.
El-Rufai is being prosecuted at the Federal High Court in Abuja by the Department of State Services (DSS) on charges relating to the breach of national security and the Cybercrimes Act.
These charges followed a televised interview in which he claimed that he had intercepted classified phone calls involving the National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu.
The prosecution accused accused the former governor of unlawful interception of communications and compromising public safety.
Similarly, El-Rufai is standing trial before Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court in a nine-count charge bordering on alleged advance fee fraud and money laundering against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Personal physician to the embattled former governor, Professor Bello Abubakar, was on Tuesday arrested by the ICPC for alleged abuse of the privilege extended to him in the management of El-Rufai's health.
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