ADC, ICPC clash over El-Rufai’s hospital visit, detention conditions
By Luminous Jannamike
ABUJA — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) exchanged accusations on Thursday regarding the medical treatment and detention conditions of former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
The ADC alleged that the ICPC denied El-Rufai adequate medical care while in custody and violated his rights. In contrast, the ICPC accused the former governor of misusing a court-approved medical visit and failing to adhere to the stipulated conditions.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC claimed that El-Rufai was taken to the National Hospital in Abuja, where doctors recommended his admission due to a decline in his health. According to the party, ICPC officials rejected this recommendation and insisted on returning him to detention.
The ADC further reported that protests from El-Rufai’s wife and personal physician over the decision escalated into a confrontation, resulting in the alleged assault of his wife and the arrest of the physician.
“Despite medical advice for hospitalization due to his deteriorating health, ICPC officials insisted on returning him to custody,” Abdullahi stated. “Protests from his personal physician and his wife led to scuffles, during which his wife was assaulted, and the doctor was subsequently arrested.”
The opposition party condemned these actions as an infringement on constitutional rights and human dignity, asserting that El-Rufai has also been denied access to family and medical care, despite a court order allowing such access. Abdullahi held President Bola Tinubu accountable for El-Rufai’s ongoing detention, labeling him a political prisoner.
Conversely, the ICPC denied the ADC’s claims and asserted that El-Rufai had breached the conditions of the approved medical visit. The Commission noted that the Kaduna State High Court scheduled accelerated hearings for July 6-8 regarding criminal charges against El-Rufai, but proceedings were stalled when he reportedly declined to leave custody for court, seeking to consult with his personal physician instead.
The ICPC stated that no prior request had been made for such consultation and that El-Rufai allegedly declared he had no immediate medical issues but wanted to see his physician at his wife’s request. The court subsequently adjourned the proceedings until July 15 to consider a recusal request related to the trial judge and to await direction from the Kaduna State Chief Judge regarding a request for case transfer.
The Commission confirmed that it facilitated El-Rufai’s hospital visit in alignment with the court’s directives and its obligation to ensure the welfare of individuals in custody. ICPC medical and security personnel accompanied him to the National Hospital, remaining outside the consultation room during his examination by an oncologist.
However, concerns arose after images surfaced on social media, allegedly showing El-Rufai with his physician and others during the hospital visit. These photos were reportedly posted by political associate Isa Kudan, who claimed they had just met with El-Rufai.
“The images and post by Isa Kudan indicated that the arranged medical visit was used for activities beyond the court’s intended scope,” the ICPC stated. The Commission confirmed that it would present the matter to the court and disclosed that Professor Bello Abubakar, El-Rufai’s physician, had been arrested for allegedly making false statements.