ICPC Accuses El-Rufai of Abusing Court-Approved Medical Visit, Arrests Personal Doctor
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has accused former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, of violating the conditions of a court-approved medical visit while in the commission’s custody.
The anti-graft agency also announced the arrest of El-Rufai’s personal physician, Prof. Bello Abubakar, over allegations of making false statements during the course of investigations.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson and Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, the commission said it approved the medical visit in compliance with a court directive and in line with its obligation to protect the rights and welfare of persons in custody.
According to the ICPC, the Kaduna State High Court had scheduled July 6, 7 and 8, 2026, for the accelerated hearing of criminal charges against the former governor. However, proceedings could not commence as planned after El-Rufai failed to appear in court on the first day.
The commission stated that when its officers arrived to transport him to court, he declined to accompany them, insisting on seeing his personal physician. It added that no prior request for a medical consultation had been submitted and that its in-house medical personnel found no immediate health complaints after examining him.
“The defendant reportedly stated that he wished to see his personal physician at the request of his wife, Aisha El-Rufai, who is also one of his legal counsel,” the commission said.
The ICPC noted that the court subsequently adjourned the matter until July 15, 2026, to hear an application seeking the trial judge’s recusal and to await the decision of the Kaduna State Chief Judge on a petition requesting the transfer of the case.
Despite the adjournment, the commission said it facilitated the medical visit at the private wing of the National Hospital, Abuja, on July 7. It maintained that its officers conducted themselves professionally and respected the defendant’s privacy during the visit.
The agency further disclosed that, at the request of El-Rufai’s family members, its officers remained outside the consultation room while the former governor was examined by an oncologist.
However, the commission alleged that photographs later shared on social media by one of El-Rufai’s political associates showed the former governor receiving visitors, including Prof. Abubakar, during the period designated strictly for medical consultation.
According to the ICPC, the photographs suggested that the visit was used for activities beyond the scope approved by the court.
“The arranged medical visit was utilised for activities outside the scope contemplated by the court and the ICPC. This is a clear violation of the court order,” the statement read.
The commission said it would draw the court’s attention to what it described as a flagrant disregard for the conditions attached to the medical visit, stressing that its professionalism and goodwill should not be abused.
It also confirmed that Prof. Abubakar had been taken into custody for further investigation, reiterating its commitment to operating within the bounds of the law.
Earlier on Tuesday, Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court adjourned proceedings in the case until July 15, pending a decision by the Chief Judge on an application seeking the transfer of the matter to another judge.
Lead prosecuting counsel, Chief Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), told the court that El-Rufai declined to attend the scheduled hearing because he wanted to consult his personal physician. He argued that the former governor neither notified the commission beforehand nor complained of any illness during a medical assessment conducted by ICPC doctors.
Counsel to the defendant, Ubong Akpan, urged the court not to proceed with the accelerated hearing, citing a pending application for the judge’s recusal and a petition before the Chief Judge seeking reassignment of the case.
In his ruling, Justice Khobo agreed that the Administration of Criminal Justice Law permits courts to proceed where a defendant deliberately absents himself and that the filing of a recusal application does not automatically halt criminal proceedings. However, he held that the court would await the directive of the Chief Judge before continuing with the substantive trial.
El-Rufai is facing an amended nine-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office, fraud, conferring undue advantage, irregular award and execution of public contracts, money laundering and unlawful handling of public funds during his eight-year tenure as governor of Kaduna State. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and maintains that the prosecution is politically motivated.
ADC Alleges Political Persecution
Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Federal Government of politically persecuting El-Rufai, alleging that ICPC operatives denied him access to medical treatment, arrested his physician and assaulted his wife.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party described the development as a threat to democracy and demanded unrestricted access for El-Rufai to medical care, family members and legal representatives.
The ADC alleged that doctors at the National Hospital recommended that the former governor be admitted for treatment but that ICPC officials insisted on returning him to custody. The party further claimed that protests by his wife and physician led to a confrontation during which his wife was assaulted and the doctor arrested.
Describing El-Rufai as a “political prisoner,” the party accused the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of using state institutions to target political opponents.
The ADC called for a review of El-Rufai’s bail conditions, an end to what it termed degrading detention conditions and full compliance with constitutional safeguards for persons in custody.
El-Rufai’s Wife Appeals to Tinubu
Speaking at the family residence in Abuja on Tuesday, Hajiya Asia El-Rufai appealed to President Tinubu to ensure that her husband receives fair treatment and enjoys his constitutional rights.
She recalled the support she and her husband gave the President during the 2023 election campaign and urged him to intervene to ensure fairness, while clarifying that the family was not asking for interference in the judicial process.
According to her, El-Rufai has been diagnosed with high blood pressure and high blood sugar and has been denied adequate access to medical care.
“We are not asking that he should not be prosecuted. We are asking that he be allowed the basic human rights guaranteed by the Constitution. If he is guilty, let the court decide. If he is innocent, let the court decide,” she said.
Asia also alleged that restrictions on access to doctors, relatives and legal representatives had subjected the family to psychological distress, while calling for bail conditions that would allow the former governor to properly prepare his defence.
The family further questioned the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Prof. Abubakar and called for an investigation into a medical report purportedly issued by the National Hospital, Abuja.
They maintained that El-Rufai deserves a fair trial and adequate access to his legal team and healthcare providers as his trial continues.