Here is a link to the press release on Reuters announcing Nasir El-Rufai's retention of Robert Amsterdam to defend against a raft of baseless, politically motivated charges by the Nigerian government.
Nasir El-Rufai, a popular Nigerian reformer who has faced nearly two years of investigations from trumped-up, politically-motivated charges has announced the retention of the well-known international lawyer Robert Amsterdam, of Amsterdam & Peroff. Mr. Amsterdam has a broad mandate to mount a vigorous legal defense of El-Rufai's reputation, person and property both in Nigeria and abroad.
Mr. A. U. Mustapha, prominent Nigerian counsel for El-Rufai, stated that, "the increasingly libelous accusations against former Minister El-Rufai and the ferocity of the campaign against him which violate Nigeria's commitments under international law prompted us to look for jurisdictions outside of Nigeria for additional arena for redress."
While serving in government, El-Rufai was recognized as an integral member of a team of bold and innovative reformers who brought real progress, transparency and accountability to Nigeria. During his tenure as Minister of the FCT, El-Rufai's administration was recognized globally as a model of transparency and efficiency, implementing policies and recruiting personnel that enhanced the viability of the federal capital as part of a wider reform agenda.
"The accusations against El-Rufai are politically motivated and intended to destroy the reputation of a Nigerian reformer and a results-oriented technocrat, and hence destroy the very notion of reform," said Amsterdam. "Nigerians deserve better than this."
He continued, "These baseless accusations are of grave concern to the international community, particularly those concerned with human rights, democracy and good governance in Africa."
The Bureau of Public Enterprises which El-Rufai headed between 1999 and 2003 provided the then newly-created Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) temporary offices, initial staff and other resources to begin its successful anti-corruption campaign in 2003. The tenacity and effectiveness of the EFCC has prompted political reprisals against El-Rufai and Nuhu Ribadu, who were seen as the driving force behind the Commission's successful prosecutions. Both El-Rufai and Ribadu are now outside of Nigeria for their own safety.
Robert Amsterdam is the founding partner of the Toronto- and London, U.K.-based law firm Amsterdam & Peroff. More information on this case can be found at www.robertamsterdam.com.
I am very delighted to read about this move.I think it is a very correct action in the right direction to bring some accountability and sanity to the bad eggs we have in the nigeian government.They are by no means small in number and they use their positions in the public offices to basterdise the system without consequencies.I think exposing their corruption and inhumane activities to the world would help the average nigerian who suffer untold hardships daily in the hands of these people.No body is investigating many who have been innocently killed.Many are following suit and smearing their hands and character because they have no uptions.The average nigerian continues to suffer in silence every day,hour,minute and second and unfortunately without any solution at sight.But for his courage and foresight EL Rufai would have been dead and forgotten by now if he had remained in Nigeria.
I see this international action against our corrupt and evil minded government officials as the way forward.With this we can bring past issues to book and help to provide accountable and honest citizens coming forward to serve the nation without fear.We have lost so much and the soil is only fertile for these evil minded people.One more secound without electricity and one unjustified loss of life anywhere in Nigeria is unacceptable and must be investigated.
Famous El Rufai.