Our Reporter, Abuja
Founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Atedo Peterside, has criticised some Nigerian security agencies, alleging that they conspired to detain former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, without formally charging him in court.
In a post on X on Sunday, Peterside said he had watched “in disbelief” as agencies he once respected — including the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) — allegedly collaborated to keep El-Rufai in custody without due legal process.
According to him, such action would amount to a violation of the spirit and letter of Nigeria’s Constitution.
“Some of us have watched in disbelief as government agencies that we respected… appear to have conspired to incarcerate @elrufai without charging him to court, thereby violating the spirit and letter of the Nigerian Constitution,” Peterside wrote.
The banker and public affairs commentator noted that although he had disagreed with El-Rufai during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State—particularly over the 2019 detention of Shiite leader Ibrahim El-Zakzaky—he still felt compelled to speak out against what he described as ill-treatment.
“Two wrongs do not make a right,” he stated.
Peterside further stressed that speaking against alleged injustice should not depend on personal relationships or political alignment.
He added that if he were ever detained unjustly, he would remain at peace “even if nobody calls out the authorities” on his behalf.
The former bank chief also recalled speaking out in the past when prominent Nigerians were detained, citing cases involving late business mogul and politician Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi, and activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore.
Peterside concluded his post with a prayerful remark, expressing hope that Nigeria would eventually be “delivered from wicked leaders,” while emphasising the importance of adherence to the rule of law and due process.
