Corruption Alleged: Ozekhome Demands Fair Hearing for El-Rufai

According to human rights lawyer Mike Ozekhome, El-Rufai need to be granted a fair hearing in the investigation of his government.

A committee of the Kaduna House of Assembly was established to look into the previous state governor’s administration, which had indicted El-Rufai on allegations of corruption and offered other recommendations.

But Ozekhome said that it was appropriate to let El-Rufai to refute the accusations because the committee had done its duty.

“I am neither the oracle at Ile Ife [in Osun State] that would go look into the future to pronounce it the next Ooni need to be, nor am I Nostradamus, the man who saw tomorrow. I would thus not be able to predict the result,” he said.

But in my opinion, El-Rufai has to be granted his right to a fair hearing in any case. All the assembly has done is urged the governor to carry out its suggestion.

The governor might consider it and, if feeling good, decide that it is not worth the energy at that moment. Face other things, please. Others could object, “Let’s dig in; the N423 billion they are accusing him of is not a small amount.” Remember that El-Rufai also has fundamental rights to defend, regardless of the result. He might, for instance, elect to contest the indictment in court.

One could argue he was not given a fair trial. Never was he contacted. I’m not sure if he was summoned to appear and defend himself,” he said.

Was he properly invited, Ozekhome questioned? Has he been allowed to make his defence? That’s another story if he was and he choose to remain back. I therefore feel compelled to comment on them even if I do not have all those responsibilities.

One does not indict someone via proxy. No, you don’t, especially when it comes to something that has criminal overtone. Proxy cannot accomplish that. It has to be the individual, the attorney stated.