A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Kenneth Okonkwo, has alleged that the detention of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, contributed to the death of his mother.

El-Rufai was previously detained by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission over corruption allegations linked to his time in office. He was later arraigned before a Kaduna State High Court and granted bail.

During his detention, the former governor lost his mother and was subsequently granted administrative bail to attend her burial.

Reacting to the development in an interview with Symponi TV, Okonkwo argued that the emotional impact of El-Rufai’s incarceration may have affected his elderly mother, suggesting that the situation could have hastened her death.

He stated that elderly individuals are often emotionally vulnerable and may struggle to cope with distressing news about their children.

Okonkwo also accused the All Progressives Congress of attempting to manipulate legal processes, alleging that the judiciary was being used for political purposes.

According to him, the circumstances surrounding El-Rufai’s detention and subsequent release raise questions about adherence to due process.

He maintained that the timing of events, including the granting of administrative bail, points to inconsistencies that warrant further scrutiny.