Asia Ahmad El-Rufai, wife of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has appealed to the international community to intervene over what she described as her husband’s prolonged detention, alleging that he has been denied due process.

In a statement released to mark what she said was the 150th day of El-Rufai’s detention, Asia urged foreign governments, multilateral organisations and international human rights groups to closely monitor the legal proceedings involving the former governor.

‘Punishment Before Trial’

Asia said she was speaking as a wife and mother seeking justice, insisting that her husband’s continued detention amounts to “punishment before trial” and poses a threat to Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

“One hundred and fifty days is not a legal phrase. It is five months of missed meals, missed prayers, missed proper mourning of his deceased mother, missed family conversations, interrupted medical care and moments we can never recover,” she said.

She acknowledged that El-Rufai has remained a controversial public figure throughout his political career but argued that controversy should not replace due process.

“My husband is no stranger to controversy or public scrutiny. He has been praised, criticised, loved and opposed. That is democracy. But what is happening to him today is not democracy, and it is not accountability. It is punishment before trial.”

Allegations of Rights Violations

Asia alleged that security officials initially intercepted El-Rufai at an airport, seized his passport without a warrant and assaulted one of his aides before later inviting him for questioning.

According to her, although he honoured the invitation voluntarily, he was detained despite assurances that he would be granted bail.

She further claimed that El-Rufai became seriously ill in custody, alleging he suffered bleeding from his nose and mouth while officials delayed access to proper medical care and medication.

“I still remember the helplessness of hearing that he had fallen gravely ill in custody,” she said.

Concerns Over Legal Process

Asia maintained that she was not asking for her husband to be placed above the law but insisted that any allegations against him should be handled transparently and in line with constitutional safeguards.

“If the state believes it has evidence, let it be presented before an impartial court, openly and fairly,” she said.

She alleged that multiple charges filed in different courts, repeated detention and what she described as impossible bail conditions were being used to prolong his incarceration.

According to her, the legal process appears to have become a political tool rather than a genuine pursuit of justice.

Appeal to Tinubu and International Community

Asia also linked her husband’s legal troubles to his political differences with President Bola Tinubu and his exit from the All Progressives Congress (APC), arguing that political disagreements should not result in indefinite detention.

She called on Nigeria’s international partners to demand transparent judicial proceedings, humane detention conditions and access to medical care, while urging President Tinubu to allow the courts to determine the case independently.

She concluded that the issue extends beyond her husband, saying it raises broader concerns about judicial independence, due process and equal protection under the law.