Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized the Federal High Court for maintaining strict bail conditions for former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. Represented by his aide Phrank Shaibu, Abubakar argued that these requirements, which include securing a high-ranking civil servant with property in elite neighborhoods, are effectively impossible to meet. He contends that such measures function as a form of pre-trial punishment rather than a legitimate legal process.
Abubakar expressed concern that this trend suggests a strategy of weaponizing the judicial system against opposition members. He emphasized that bail should ensure a defendant appears for trial rather than serving as a tool for continued incarceration. He warned that if these excessive standards continue, they will erode public trust in Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the rule of law.
Stressing that the presumption of innocence is a fundamental constitutional right, the former vice president called for the judiciary to remain impartial and accessible. He concluded that judicial fairness is essential for national stability and that the current approach undermines the core principles of justice in the country.
