Prof. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, a respected Nigerian human rights lawyer and activist, has publicly criticized the ongoing detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai. Known for his firm stance on constitutional rights, Odinkalu emphasized that while he has long opposed El-Rufai’s approach to governance, no individual should be treated “beneath the law.”
In a post shared on his verified X account, Odinkalu reminded Nigerians that the constitution guarantees protection for all citizens and explicitly forbids administrative detention. He stated that any agency, including the Department of State Services (DSS) or the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), that suspects a citizen of wrongdoing must pursue formal charges in court rather than detaining them indefinitely.
Odinkalu described the practice of holding individuals without trial as unlawful, unjustifiable, and unconstitutional. He highlighted that indefinite detention undermines the rule of law and violates the rights enshrined in the Nigerian constitution. According to him, the legal system must apply equally to everyone, including controversial and unpopular figures.
He wrote,
“As @GovKaduna, @Elrufai was lawless. I disagreed with him then. Today, he is being treated as beneath the law. I disagree with that too.”
Odinkalu’s remarks underscore the principle that justice must be impartial and that constitutional protections cannot be ignored, regardless of public opinion or political standing. He argued that the government’s actions should uphold fairness and due process, ensuring that no citizen, however powerful or disliked, is subjected to arbitrary treatment.
By emphasizing that the law applies to everyone equally, Odinkalu reiterated the importance of maintaining a legal system that respects human rights and due process. His comments come amid ongoing debates in Nigeria about political accountability, administrative detention, and the proper application of the rule of law, highlighting the tension between enforcing justice and respecting constitutional rights.See_More…