The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on Tuesday alleged that former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, violated the conditions of a court-approved medical visit while in the commission’s custody.
The commission also announced the arrest of his personal physician, Prof Bello Abubakar, for allegedly making false statements.
In a statement by its spokesperson and Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, the commission said it had facilitated El-Rufai’s medical visit in compliance with a court directive and its statutory obligation to respect the rights and welfare of persons in its custody.
The ICPC disclosed that the Kaduna State High Court had fixed July 6, 7 and 8, 2026, for the accelerated hearing of criminal charges against the former governor but that he failed to appear on the first day of proceedings.
According to the commission, its prosecution team informed the court that when officers arrived to convey El-Rufai to court, he declined to accompany them, insisting on seeing his personal doctor.
“The prosecution further informed the court that no prior request had been made to the commission for such medical consultation and that, when asked by the commission’s medical doctor, the defendant reportedly indicated that he had no immediate medical complaints but stated that his wife, Aisha El-Rufai, who is also one of his legal counsel, had requested that he see his personal physician, Prof Bello Abubakar,” the statement said.
The commission said the court subsequently adjourned the matter until July 15, 2026, to hear El-Rufai’s application seeking the trial judge’s recusal and to await the decision of the Chief Judge of Kaduna State on a petition seeking the transfer of the case.
It stated that despite the adjournment, it approved the medical visit in line with the court’s directive.
“During the hospital visit on Tuesday, 7th July, 2026, at the private wing of the National Hospital, FCT, officers of the commission’s medical and security team conducted themselves professionally and respected the defendant’s privacy,” the statement said.
The commission added that, at the request of El-Rufai’s family members, its officers remained outside the consultation room while the attending oncologist was said to be examining him.
However, the ICPC alleged that it later discovered photographs posted on Facebook by one of El-Rufai’s political associates, Isa Ashiru, showing the former governor with several visitors, including Prof Abubakar, during the period designated for the medical consultation.
“The images and post by Isa Kudan indicated that 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 commission stated.
The anti-graft agency said it had managed El-Rufai and other suspects in its custody “with patience, professionalism and courtesy,” but alleged that such goodwill had been abused.
“The ICPC will bring to the attention of the courts the flagrant disobedience of court orders by the defendant. The professional and humane nature of the ICPC should not be taken for granted,” it added.
The commission further announced that Prof Abubakar had been arrested.
“At this moment, Prof Bello Abubakar, El-Rufai’s personal physician, has been taken into custody for further investigation.
“The ICPC reiterates its resolve to continue to operate within the ambit of the law at all times.
“The commission also wants to make it categorically clear that it will not tolerate, under any guise, the abuse of its goodwill by anybody or group of persons,” the statement said.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Kaduna State High Court adjourned proceedings to await the decision of the state’s CJ on an application seeking the transfer of El-Rufai’s case to another judge.
Justice Darius Khobo fixed July 15 for the hearing of the defendant’s application after the defence asked the court to recuse itself from the case, citing a lack of confidence in obtaining justice before the judge.
The matter, which had earlier been slated for accelerated hearing on July 6, 7 and 8, could not proceed after El-Rufai failed to appear in court.
Lead prosecuting counsel, Chief Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), told the court that the former governor declined to accompany operatives to court because he wanted to consult his personal physician.
Adedipe said El-Rufai neither informed the commission beforehand of his intention to see his doctor nor complained of any illness when he was examined by the commission’s medical personnel.
“The defendant was examined by the commission’s doctor and indicated that he had no health complaints. He only stated that he wanted to honour his wife’s request to see his personal doctor,” the prosecutor told the court.
He further disclosed that the prosecution was served on Monday morning with a motion filed by the defence seeking Justice Khobo’s recusal and a stay of proceedings pending the determination of the application.
Adedipe opposed the request, arguing that the Kaduna State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2017, empowers the court to continue with criminal proceedings where a defendant deliberately absents himself.
He also maintained that the law does not recognise applications seeking a stay of criminal proceedings.
Counsel for the defendant, Ubong Akpan, however, urged the court not to proceed with the accelerated hearing, saying a formal petition had already been submitted to the Chief Judge of Kaduna State requesting that the matter be reassigned to another judge.
Akpan argued that since both the recusal application and the petition were pending, it would be inappropriate for the court to continue with the trial until the CJ determined the request.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Khobo agreed with the prosecution that the Administration of Criminal Justice Law permits a court to proceed where a defendant wilfully refuses to attend trial and that the mere filing of a recusal application does not automatically stay criminal proceedings.
The judge, however, held that since the CJ had already received a petition seeking the transfer of the case, the court would await his directive before proceeding with the substantive trial.
“The court will await the directive of the Honourable Chief Judge on the petition seeking the transfer of this case before proceeding further,” Justice Khobo ruled.
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.
The ICPC alleges that the offences involved the diversion and mismanagement of public funds as well as violations of procurement procedures.
The former governor pleaded not guilty to all the charges and has consistently maintained that the prosecution is politically motivated.
ADC alleges assault
The ADC has accused the Federal Government of subjecting El-Rufai to political persecution, alleging that operatives of the ICPC denied him access to medical treatment, arrested his personal physician and assaulted his wife.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party described the alleged incident as evidence that Nigeria was “sliding into tyranny” and called for El-Rufai’s immediate access to medical care, family members and legal representatives.
According to the ADC, El-Rufai was taken to the National Hospital, Abuja, for medical attention after his health reportedly deteriorated.
The party claimed that despite medical advice recommending his admission, ICPC officials allegedly insisted on returning him to custody.
The party further alleged that protests by El-Rufai’s wife and personal physician led to a confrontation during which his wife was assaulted while the doctor was arrested.
“The actions of the ICPC and the Tinubu government have for months now gone beyond the realm of law enforcement.
“They have become an assault on the Constitution of 200 million Nigerians, on human dignity, and on the most basic principles of justice and human rights,” the statement read in part.
The ADC also described El-Rufai as a “political prisoner,” accusing the government of President Bola Tinubu of using state institutions to target political opponents.
“The world should know today that President Bola Tinubu is holding a political prisoner in Nigeria by the name of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai,” the party stated.
It argued that denying a detainee access to medical care and family members ran contrary to democratic principles and existing court orders.
“No democratic government that claims to respect the rule of law should deny a detainee access to medical care or prevent close family members from seeing him in flagrant disobedience of the courts,” the statement said.
The opposition party warned that the development extended beyond El-Rufai’s personal circumstances and raised broader concerns about the state of Nigeria’s democracy.
“This is no longer about Mallam El-Rufai alone. It is about whether Nigeria remains a constitutional democracy or has descended into a republic where law enforcement agencies have become instruments of political persecution,” Abdullahi said.
The ADC also demanded explanations from the ICPC over the alleged denial of access to El-Rufai’s family and doctor, as well as the reported arrest of his physician.
Among its demands, the party called for unrestricted access for El-Rufai to his wife, children, legal team and personal doctors, a review of his bail conditions, an end to what it described as degrading detention conditions, full compliance with constitutional safeguards for persons in custody, and greater transparency from the anti-corruption agency.
El-Rufai’s wife laments
Hajiya El-Rufai, on Tuesday, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to ensure her husband receives fair treatment, saying the family had endured trauma despite the support they gave the President during the 2023 election campaign.
Asia, who spoke alongside El-Rufai’s other wife, Aichatou, at their Abuja residence, said the family was not asking the President to interfere with the ongoing trial but to ensure that the former governor enjoyed the constitutional rights guaranteed to every Nigerian.
Asia also alleged that her husband, who she said had been diagnosed with high blood pressure and high blood sugar, had been denied access to adequate medical treatment.
She recalled the role she and her husband played during Tinubu’s presidential campaign.
“Mr President, Sir, I campaigned for you. I stood up and went to every nook and cranny of Kaduna State for you. My husband stood by your side. Is this what our family deserves?
“The ball is in your court, Mr President. All these can stop if you say a word. We believe that you are a father, and we know you can empathise,” she stated.
Asia maintained that the family was not seeking special treatment or political interference in the legal process.
“Please, I am not asking you to tell them not to prosecute him, but we are asking you to allow him the basic human rights that the constitution you swore to uphold and defend guarantees.
“Let them give him the bail that he can afford. If he is guilty, let the court decide. If he is innocent, let the court decide,” she said.
She alleged that El-Rufai’s continued detention and restrictions on access to doctors, relatives and lawyers had left the family traumatised.
“We, the family, are traumatised. We live in constant fear that we will wake up and hear some bad news.
“I honestly think that what they are doing is more about psychological warfare against Malam and his family. If they humiliate, dehumanise and put us in constant fear, they feel it affects him,” she said.
Asia also questioned the reported decision to deny El-Rufai’s personal physician access to him.
“We were told that orders from ‘above’ said Professor Bello Abubakar cannot have access to anybody for 24 hours. Who is the ‘above’?” she asked.
The family further alleged that El-Rufai had been denied regular access to his personal doctors while visits by relatives had become increasingly restricted.
They also raised concerns over a medical report purportedly issued by the National Hospital Abuja, saying questions surrounding the document’s authenticity and the circumstances under which it was issued should be investigated through the consultant whose name appeared on it.
According to Asia, the restrictions had also affected the former governor’s ability to prepare his defence.
She reiterated the family’s appeal for El-Rufai to be granted bail on conditions he could reasonably meet pending the conclusion of his trial.
“We do not shy away from defending ourselves, but we want a fair trial. We want an opportunity to be heard. Malam cannot adequately prepare for his defence while he remains in custody and has limited access to his lawyers,” she said.
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