Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, has formally refuted claims from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) regarding his medical visit. The agency previously alleged that El-Rufai abused his medical privileges and violated a court order while detained, a narrative his team characterizes as legally and factually flawed.
Muyiwa Adekeye, a media adviser for the former governor, issued a statement on Wednesday demanding that the commission withdraw its July 7 press release. Adekeye explained that El-Rufai’s failure to appear in court on July 6 was due to a documented medical issue that the ICPC was already aware of prior to the hearing.
The statement clarifies that El-Rufai’s personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar, was blocked from seeing the former governor at the ICPC facility for over two hours. Consequently, his family requested a transfer to the National Hospital in Abuja, a process initiated well before the court session was scheduled. The camp dismissed claims that the visit was a ploy to dodge court appearances, emphasizing that his ongoing health issues made travel to Kaduna impossible on that date.
Adekeye noted that no court order was violated, citing an April 1, 2026, ruling by Justice R.M. Aikawa that guarantees medical access for El-Rufai. He argued that this legal protection does not place limitations on his medical consultations. Furthermore, the defense team accused the ICPC of creating a logistical conflict by moving the hospital appointment from a quiet evening slot to a busy morning period, while also condemning the arrest of Professor Abubakar and demanding his immediate release.
Ultimately, the former governor asserts that seeking medical care is a fundamental right supported by both domestic court orders and the Nelson Mandela Rules. The statement warns that any further obstruction of his medical access or legal counsel would be viewed as contempt of court.
