Nollywood actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo has accused President Bola Tinubu of targeting former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai for political reasons following his reported association with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Speaking on Friday during “The Morning Brief” on Channels Television Okonkwo alleged that El-Rufai’s detention amounts to persecution of opposition figures and a violation of fundamental human rights.
The former Labour Party chieftain argued that the Federal Government lacks the legal authority to detain any citizen beyond 48 hours without bail, insisting that due process must be followed.
“We believe that El-Rufai is being maltreated and persecuted because he had joined the ADC,” Okonkwo said. “We are not exculpating anybody, but it is the court of law that should decide, not President Tinubu.”
Okonkwo further alleged that anti-corruption mechanisms were being deployed selectively against political opponents.
“For now, he is using his authority as the Commander-in-Chief to use the instrumentality of the ‘anti-corruption’ against the opposition,” he stated, questioning whether anti-graft institutions are operating independently under the current administration.
Calling for El-Rufai’s immediate release, Okonkwo maintained that facing trial and protecting constitutional rights are not mutually exclusive.
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“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.”
He emphasized that detention without prompt judicial oversight contravenes established legal principles and Supreme Court rulings.
According to Okonkwo, arrests should only occur after investigations have been completed and sufficient evidence established.
“The whole idea of arrest is that you have concluded your investigation and found the person culpable,” he said. “It is the duty of the prosecution to prove guilt, not the suspect to prove innocence.”
The comments come amid heightened political tensions and growing debate over the treatment of opposition figures in Nigeria’s evolving democratic landscape.
No official response had been issued by the Presidency at the time of filing this report.