|By Chinwendu Nwani
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has openly mocked former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, as both men remain in custody amid intensifying investigations by Nigerian security and anti-corruption agencies.
El-Rufai is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged financial misconduct during his tenure as Kaduna governor between 2015 and 2023.
A spokesperson to the former governor, Muyiwa Adekeye, disclosed on Monday that El-Rufai suffered a nosebleed overnight while in detention at the EFCC. Adekeye further alleged that officials prevented his wife from personally delivering food to him on February 17.
El-Rufai had voluntarily presented himself at the EFCC headquarters on February 16 following an invitation from the anti-graft agency. Two days later, on February 18, the ICPC took over custody after his release from the EFCC.
The investigations stem from a 2024 resolution by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which accused the former governor of misappropriating N423 billion in public funds and engaging in money laundering. The Assembly subsequently urged relevant anti-corruption agencies to initiate a comprehensive probe.
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting Malami over alleged illegal possession of firearms and terrorism financing. Malami is reportedly being held at Kuje Prison.
Reacting to the development, Sowore claimed that Malami had reached out to him and his legal team in a bid to secure his release.
“Malami sent people to me and our lawyer to come and bring him out. He suddenly discovered that we are the most credible people around,” Sowore said.
He also dismissed what he described as attempts to whip up public sympathy over El-Rufai’s health concerns.
“I’m not saying his nose is not bleeding, and I call on the government to stop his nosebleed. They must provide him with good doctors or take him to Kaduna to the hospital he built,” Sowore stated.
The activist further argued that political office holders should prioritize prison reforms, noting that those who once wielded power could eventually find themselves behind bars.
“If you are in power in this country — governor, head of state, president, vice president, senators — you should take care of the prisons in case you find yourselves there,” he said.
Sowore added that while he does not support impunity against anyone, the current situation reflects the consequences of past governance decisions.
“Even while we condemn impunity, we must not forget that these individuals helped create the system that is now consuming them,” he remarked.
