Prominent public commentator and ambassador designate Reno Omokri has strongly defended the ongoing legal scrutiny faced by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, asserting that the politician “deserves” prosecution rather than claiming persecution.

In a detailed Facebook post shared on Friday, Omokri dismissed El-Rufai’s recent assertions of political victimization, arguing that any legal actions stem directly from alleged misconduct during his eight-year tenure as governor from 2015 to 2023. Omokri highlighted accusations of massive financial impropriety, specifically the alleged theft or diversion of ₦423 billion from state funds, as fingered by the Kaduna State House of Assembly.

“The truth is that Nasir el-Rufai is fingered in the alleged theft of ₦423 billion during his tenure by no less a body than the Kaduna State House of Assembly. He is not above the law or above arrest,” Omokri wrote. “He should not resist legal arrest or try to blame others for his alleged crimes.”

Omokri further accused El-Rufai of a pattern of authoritarian behavior, including the suppression of critics, journalists, and activists. He referenced specific incidents such as:

• The 2015 Zaria massacre involving Shia Muslims led by Sheikh Ibrahim el-Zakzaky, where Omokri cited an official death toll of 347 (with unofficial estimates nearing 1,000), describing the treatment of Zakzaky as “barbaric.”
• The enforced disappearance of critic Abubakar Idris (known as Dadiyata) in 2019.
• Arrests and harassment of journalists and activists, including Jacob Onjewu Dickson, Segun Onibiyo, Midat Joseph, and Audu Maikori.
• Demolitions of properties belonging to political opponents, such as Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi and others, often at unusual hours.

Omokri contrasted El-Rufai’s current complaints with his past actions, stating: “Because he did it, his guilty conscience makes him think that everybody is like him. No, Nasir, you are not being persecuted. You are being prosecuted!”

The comments come amid heightened controversy surrounding El-Rufai. Reports indicate recent drama at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport upon his return from abroad, where he allegedly resisted arrest attempts by security operatives, with his passport reportedly seized temporarily. El-Rufai has claimed political motivations behind probes into his administration, including invitations from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) related to financial allegations. His associates have also faced detentions, fueling narratives of targeted harassment following political shifts.

Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and a vocal social media influencer, positioned his critique as a call for accountability, emphasizing that “no one is above the law.” He urged El-Rufai to cease “grandstanding” and face legal processes.

The Nation Newspaper first reported Omokri’s statement, which quickly circulated on social media platforms, drawing mixed reactions from political observers. Supporters praised it as a stand for justice, while critics accused Omokri of selective outrage or political bias.

El-Rufai has not publicly responded directly to Omokri’s latest post as of Friday afternoon, though he has previously denied wrongdoing and described investigations as politically motivated witch-hunts.

This development underscores ongoing tensions within Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly regarding accountability for former officials and the intersection of governance, security, and corruption allegations. The EFCC and other agencies have yet to issue formal charges in the ₦423 billion matter, but public discourse continues to intensify.