WorldStage— The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has questioned the fairness and consistency of Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign, drawing attention to the seven-month detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
Speaking in Lagos, the monarch asked whether the prolonged legal action was a genuine pursuit of accountability or a politically motivated battle.
Emir Sanusi spoke on the sidelines of a book launch for ‘The Unexplained Wealth Trilogy’ by Wahab Shittu (SAN).
He argued that having anti-corruption laws is insufficient if enforcement remains selective.
Sanusi asserted that individuals facing serious corruption allegations often have their charges dropped simply because they belong to favored political circles or retain powerful backing.
The monarch emphasized that judicial institutions and anti-graft agencies must operate free from political interference to maintain public trust.
Nasir El-Rufai has remained in detention for seven months without a formal conviction, a situation that has intensified debates regarding bail access and due process for high-profile defendants.
Sanusi’s remarks follow recent laments by El-Rufai regarding the silence of former associates during his ongoing legal troubles.
Observers note a historical bond between Sanusi and El-Rufai, particularly when El-Rufai offered Sanusi high-profile state appointments following his dethronement as Emir of Kano in 2020.
The Emir warned that Nigeria will fail to achieve meaningful institutional reform if legal processes are bent to suit shifting political alliances rather than uniform adherence to constitutional rights.
