Omokri: No mercy for el-Rufai over nosebleed claims

The controversy surrounding the detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai intensified on Tuesday as prominent commentator Reno Omokri dismissed calls for his release over an alleged nosebleed, accusing the ex-governor of hypocrisy in light of his administration’s past treatment of detainees.

In a sharply worded post shared on social media, Omokri argued that a nosebleed is a minor and common ailment prevalent during Nigeria’s Harmattan season and does not justify special treatment or release from custody.

He contrasted el-Rufai’s situation with several cases from his time as governor, including the prolonged detention of individuals who reportedly suffered far more severe health issues without compassion.

Omokri highlighted the unresolved disappearance of Abubakar Idris, known as Dadiyata, a vocal critic abducted from his home in Kaduna on August 2, 2019, under el-Rufai’s administration.

Dadiyata has not been seen or heard from since, leaving his wife, Khadija Ahmad Lame, and their two young daughters in ongoing distress.

Omokri referenced el-Rufai’s own admission during a past Arise TV interview that he knew at least one policeman involved in the incident and questioned the source of intelligence used in the operation.

He further cited examples of journalists and activists detained under el-Rufai, such as Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, who reportedly lost an eye after being beaten in custody; Vanguard journalist Luka Biniyat, who developed hypertension; Leadership Newspaper’s Midat Joseph, who contracted malaria; and others including Jacob Dickson, Sunny Yayock, Stephen Kefas, and lawyer-musician Audu Maikori.

“None were released due to their medical conditions,” Omokri noted.

Omokri’s post comes amid reports from el-Rufai’s media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, that the former governor suffered an overnight nosebleed while in custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), with additional claims of restricted family access, including his wife being prevented from delivering food directly.

El-Rufai was reportedly transferred to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on February 18 without prior notice. His team has described the detention, now in its second week, as a violation of rights, with lawyers seeking bail variations.

The development has drawn wider attention, including from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who called for transparency on el-Rufai’s whereabouts and health, describing the nosebleed reports and access denials as “deeply troubling” in a democracy and warning that the government would be held accountable if anything happens to him.

Omokri insisted that el-Rufai, facing allegations of massive financial misconduct, including claims of looting ₦432 billion from Kaduna State coffers, should remain detained until bail conditions are met, and then face further scrutiny over the Dadiyata case.

He urged: “Nasir el-Rufai’s chickens have come home to roost,” and demanded answers to the longstanding question: #WhereIsDadiyata?