•Embattled former Governor El-Rufai and ICPC operative
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 El-Rufai’s personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar, for allegedly making false statements, reports The PUNCH.
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, Asia El-Rufai, who is also one of his legal counsel, had requested that he see his personal physician, Professor 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 Kudan, showing the former governor with several visitors, including Professor 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.
El-Rufai and ADC governorship candidate in Kaduna State, Isa Kudan allegedly meet during the period slated for El-Rufai’s medical visit. Credit: Isa Kudan
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 Professor Abubakar had been arrested.
“At this moment, Professor Bello Abubakar, El-Rufai’s personal physician, has been taken into custody for further investigation,” the statement said.
The ICPC said it remained committed to operating within the law and warned that it “will not tolerate, under any guise, the abuse of its goodwill by anybody or group of persons.”
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