Asiya El-Rufai, spouse of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure her husband is treated with fairness as he deals with ongoing criminal charges. She stated that given the substantial support their family provided for the President’s election, they anticipate basic professional courtesy from his administration.
During an appearance on ARISE NEWS, the lawyer clarified that she is not seeking for the President to obstruct the judicial system. Instead, she emphasized the need for the administration to guarantee that his constitutional rights remain protected. She noted that her husband backed Tinubu’s candidacy due to a belief in his character, often facing political backlash from others in the process.
Asiya argued that while the President cannot intervene in court rulings, he maintains the authority to ensure state agencies act according to the law. She highlighted several critical demands, including proper medical access, consistent legal representation, and fair bail terms. She expressed frustration regarding the current denial of bail, suggesting that the categorization of her husband as a flight risk contradicts his history of complying with court mandates.
Addressing health concerns, she stated that her husband suffers from glaucoma and has been prevented from seeing his personal doctor, Professor Bello, who is currently under arrest. She characterized this limitation as an attempt to weaponize medical access. Furthermore, she dismissed allegations that his recent hospital visit was a front for political activity and warned that ignoring due process could undermine public trust in the rule of law.
