Kenneth Okonkwo accuses Tinubu of targeting Nasir El-Rufai over ADC defection

Former spokesperson for the Labour Party presidential campaign council, Kenneth Okonkwo, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu is targeting former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai because of his defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Okonkwo made the claim on Friday during an appearance on The Morning Brief, a programme on Channels Television, where he spoke about the reported detention of El-Rufai.

“We believe that El-Rufai is being maltreated and persecuted because he had joined the ADC. We are not exculpating anybody, but it is the court of law that should decide, not President Tinubu.

“And for now, he is using his authority as the Commander-in-Chief to use the instrumentality of the ‘anti-corruption’ against the opposition. I wonder whether there is any commission fighting corruption in Tinubu’s regime,” he said.

The Nollywood veteran-turned-politician argued that the Federal Government does not have the legal power to keep any suspect in detention beyond 48 hours without granting bail.

He also insisted that the appropriate step for the government is to release El-Rufai while allowing the legal process to take its course.

“The first thing President Bola Tinubu should do is to release El-Rufai. We are not saying he should not face trial, but his fundamental human rights should be guaranteed.

“Forty-eight hours is what a government has to keep anybody in detention without granting him bail. No, you don’t have that power,” he added.

Okonkwo further maintained that in criminal proceedings, it is the responsibility of the prosecution to prove the guilt of a suspect, stressing that accusations alone should not be grounds for arrest or prolonged detention.