The legal team representing Nasir El-Rufai has filed petitions to several international and domestic organisations, alleging unlawful detention and political persecution of the former governor.
In a petition dated 2 March 2026, the law firm B.B. Michika & Associates asked human rights organisations, diplomatic missions and religious bodies to intervene in what it described as the continued violation of El-Rufai’s fundamental rights.
According to the petition, copies were sent to multiple institutions including:
- United States Embassy Abuja
- British High Commission Abuja
- European Union Delegation to Nigeria
- Amnesty International
- Human Rights Watch
- United Nations Human Rights Council
- ECOWAS Court of Justice
- Nigerian Bar Association
- Christian Association of Nigeria
- Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS)
- National Human Rights Commission
Several other global rights organisations were also copied in the petition.
The lawyers described El-Rufai as a political opposition figure and outspoken critic of the current administration, arguing that his continued detention raises serious concerns about due process.
According to the petition, their clients are worried about:
- Multiple overlapping investigations
- Continued detention and alleged denial of bail
- Repeated summons coinciding with his political activities
The legal team argued that the pattern suggests possible political targeting.
The petition cited several legal protections it believes have been breached, including:
- Section 35 of the Nigerian Constitution (right to personal liberty)
- Section 36 (right to fair hearing)
- Articles 6 and 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights
- Provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) against arbitrary detention.
The lawyers urged the organisations addressed in the petition to closely monitor the actions of the Nigerian government regarding El-Rufai’s case.
They warned that allowing alleged political persecution of opposition figures could weaken democratic institutions and the rule of law.
