Sanusi Questions Anti-Corruption Fight, Raises Concerns Over el-Rufai’s Detention
By Nafiu Muhammad Lema
The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has questioned the fairness of Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign, raising concerns over the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, and the alleged selective prosecution of corruption cases.
Sanusi spoke on Monday during an interview with Channels Television on the sidelines of the launch of The Unexplained Wealth Trilogy, a book authored by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Wahab Shittu, in Lagos.
The monarch expressed concern that political connections could influence the investigation and prosecution of corruption cases, arguing that the existence of anti-corruption laws alone would not guarantee justice without effective and impartial enforcement.
“We have seen in this country people who are facing corruption charges who basically just get those charges dropped because they belong to the right political environment or have the right political support,” Sanusi said.
Referring to el-Rufai’s ongoing legal battle, the emir questioned whether the handling of certain corruption cases was motivated by the pursuit of justice or political considerations.
“An example is my brother, Nasir el-Rufai, who’s been denied bail. He’s been in detention for seven months, not having been convicted for anything, using the courts,” he stated.
“So people begin to wonder, is this really a fight against corruption, or is it a political battle
Sanusi maintained that improving the country’s anti-corruption framework required more than introducing new legislation, stressing the need to strengthen the institutions responsible for investigation, prosecution and adjudication.
“Until the politicians and those who control political office and the judiciary decide that they are going to use these laws for the purpose for which they are set up, we’re not going to get anywhere,” he said.
He warned that selective enforcement could undermine public confidence in the justice system and allow politically connected individuals to escape accountability.
“Otherwise, anyone knows that you can get away with anything if you have the right political connections.”
The remarks come amid el-Rufai’s legal battles over allegations involving corruption, money laundering and national security. The former governor has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
In a separate phone-tapping case, a Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled October 26 to rule on his no-case submission.
Sanusi insisted that meaningful progress against corruption would depend on the consistent application of existing laws and the integrity of the institutions charged with enforcing them.
