Nasir El-Rufai Fights Political Persecution in Nigeria

International legal expert Robert Amsterdam joins Nigerian defense team to
challenge accusations against el-Rufai

LONDON, March 26 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.

SOURCE Amsterdam & Peroff

James Kimerm, +1-917-355-0717, James.kimer@ksocialmedia.com