Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has demanded full disclosure from the Federal Government over the continued detention of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, warning that secrecy surrounding his case is fuelling public suspicion and heightening fears for his health.

Atiku, who recently paid a solidarity visit to El-Rufai at his residence before the latest developments, said Nigerians deserve to know which security or anti-graft agency is holding the former governor and under what legal authority.

“The Federal Government owes Nigerians clarity. It must state clearly which agency is holding him, whether the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, the State Security Service, or any other arm of the security establishment,” Atiku said in a statement.

He argued that the opaque handling of the case undermines confidence in the rule of law, insisting that any agency involved has a constitutional obligation to guarantee El-Rufai’s safety, dignity, access to medical care, and unfettered contact with his family and legal team.

Atiku’s intervention follows claims by El-Rufai’s media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, that the former governor experienced a nosebleed while in EFCC custody. Adekeye said El-Rufai was interrogated and granted administrative bail, but remained in detention as his lawyers sought a variation of what they considered stringent bail conditions.

According to Adekeye, neither the family nor the legal team had been shown any remand order authorising detention beyond 48 hours without charge, and they faced difficulties gaining access to him. He further alleged that one of El-Rufai’s wives was barred from delivering his meal directly, and that the former governor later suffered an overnight episode of nasal bleeding.

Adekeye also disclosed that El-Rufai was moved from EFCC custody to the ICPC without prior notice to his family or lawyers, deepening concerns about his welfare and the legal basis for his continued detention.

Atiku warned that if the authorities cannot credibly guarantee El-Rufai’s health and fundamental rights, “the lawful and humane course of action is to grant him bail without delay.”

He cautioned against turning anti-corruption efforts into a political weapon, saying selective or opaque prosecutions erode public trust. “The continued detention of El-Rufai under unclear circumstances raises serious questions about motive. If anything happens to El-Rufai, this government will be held accountable,” he said.