BASHIR Saidu, the Chief of Staff to former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, was on Tuesday arrested by Operation Fushin Kada, also known as Operation Yaki, allegedly on the orders of Governor Uba Sani.
Saidu, a key political ally of el-Rufai, was detained by operatives of the anti-banditry police unit at Rigachikun.
The operatives had reportedly laid an ambush near Saidu’s residence at Coronation Crescent in Kaduna before effecting his arrest at Rigachikun.
He was subsequently taken to the Operation Fushin Kada office on Constitution Road for questioning, before being arraigned at a magistrate’s court in Rigasa.
The reason for his arrest has not been made public, but there are claims that he is being held in connection with money laundering.
A source privy to the development stated that: “I wonder why Operation Yaki (Operation Fushin Kada) will involve itself in a clear case of political witch-hunt and repression against loyalists of former Governor el-Rufai.
“The operatives have abandoned their job of protecting the citizens against bandits and kidnappers to harass innocent citizens.
“It is strange that Operation Yaki is now preparing FIR and filing charges against perceived opponents of the governor.”
Despite providing a statement denying involvement in money laundering and the sale of 12 government houses, Saidu was taken to court.
After hearing the prosecution and defence counsel, Magistrate Muhammad Lawal Musa rejected the bail application and ordered Saidu’s remand at Kaduna Central Correctional Facility.
The case was adjourned to 21 January 2025.
Sources familiar with Kaduna politics have however noted that many of el-Rufai’s loyalists are facing charges either in the state or at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), or Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Attempts to reach Ibraheem Musa, the spokesperson for Governor Uba Sani, for comment were unsuccessful.
However, a security source privy to the information said that by the combined provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Police Act, the Nigeria Police Force was established to primarily protect the lives and properties of Nigerian citizens, including public funds.
He said, “For this reason, it is not out of place for any police officer to carry out an arrest, investigate, and prosecute anyone accused of committing any offence, with or without a formal complaint, provided a prima facie case is established against the accused.
“So, to say that the arrest of Alhaji Bashir Sa’idu by Operation Fushin Kada, formerly Operation Yaki, which was established to hunt down bandits and other criminal elements, is now being used to harass political opponents, is not just preposterous but a red herring to divert the weighty allegations against the accused”, he said.
Eighteen-Eleven Media