The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has expressed concern that religious interests may be influencing the ongoing prosecution of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The Islamic body warned against using government institutions and the legal system to pursue what it described as a sectarian agenda against the former governor.
The NSCIA said it had previously avoided commenting on the case because it believed El-Rufai’s prosecution was part of a normal judicial process.
In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, the council said: “The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has persistently refrained from commenting on the controversy surrounding the ongoing prosecutions of His Excellency, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State, or any political figure.”
It explained that its decision to remain silent was based on its confidence in the judiciary.
“The restraint was because the Council hitherto considered the prosecution as a standard judicial process and that the Judiciary has inherent capacity to uphold justice,” the council said.
However, the NSCIA said recent developments had changed its position and raised concerns about possible religious influence in the case.
The council therefore called on the Federal Government and the judiciary to ensure that the legal process was not abused for religious purposes.
The council said maintaining peace, stability and security should remain a priority, while urging authorities to ensure that religious considerations did not interfere with the legal process.
Islamic council raises concern over religious influence in El-Rufai’s prosecution