Popular Nollywood actor-turned-politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, has expressed disappointment with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the detention of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
Okonkwo alleged that the federal government is targeting El-Rufai because he recently joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He made the claim during a recent interview.
According to him, El-Rufai is being unfairly treated and politically persecuted. “We believe El-Rufai is being maltreated and persecuted because he joined the ADC. We are not saying anyone should be above the law, but it is the court that should decide such matters, not the President,” Okonkwo said.
He further accused the government of using anti-corruption agencies against political opponents.
“For now, the President is using his authority as Commander-in-Chief to deploy anti-corruption instruments against the opposition. I even wonder whether there is any commission genuinely fighting corruption under Tinubu’s administration,” he said.
Okonkwo added that the government should release El-Rufai while allowing the legal process to take its course.
“The first thing President Tinubu should do is release El-Rufai. We are not saying he should not face trial, but his fundamental human rights must be respected,” he stated.
He also argued that Nigerian law does not permit authorities to detain a suspect for more than 48 hours without bail, stressing that arrests should only follow the conclusion of investigations.
According to him, in criminal proceedings, the burden lies on the prosecution to prove the guilt of a suspect, not on the suspect to prove his innocence.
