Nigeria, Feb. 20 -- Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has welcomed back his political ally, Bashir Saidu, after his release from a Kaduna prison where he spent 50 days.

Mr Saidu was released on Wednesday. A former chief of staff to the former governor, he was arrested on allegations of money laundering and other charges in January.

He was also Commissioner for Finance and Local Government Affairs under Mr El-Rufai's administration.

The former governor expressed his relief at the release of his ally and described Mr Saidu's incarceration as unjust.

He said they have been friends for over 53 years, since their time as classmates at Barewa College, Zaria.

Mr El-Rufai described him as a grassroots politician and sound technocra...