Former presidential aide and veteran journalist, Reuben Abati, has said that former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai may remain in custody till after the election.
Abati was reported to have spoken on Wednesday on Arise Television’s Morning Show, reacting to the bail conditions imposed on the former governor.
Abati said the conditions were stringent, noting that El-Rufai was to produce a Level 17 official from the Federal Capital Territory as surety.
He said, “The bail conditions for El-Rufai, yes, they are very stringent, but the way I see it, there is more to it. There’s also politics.
“He has been directed to search for a level 17 official from the Federal Capital Territory. He says he doesn’t have it. The court is not minded to vary the conditions for him.”
The case, Abati said, involved allegations of wiretapping and corruption and proceedings had been adjourned until September.
“It is a very complicated case because he has problems with respect to wiretapping, problems with respect to, you know, other allegations about corruption, about what he did, and then the case has been moved to September,” he said.
The former presidential aide said the matter seemed to have both legal and political dimensions.
Abati said, “So the way it looks in real politics, I don’t think they will do anything about releasing Nasir El-Rufai until after the election.
“You should know this is politics, but this is also about responsibility and accountability.”
He said the court had the power to impose bail conditions even if the defendant was unable to meet them.
