By Gloria Drealomalicha
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has accused former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, of violating the conditions attached to 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, Professor Bello Abubakar, alleging that he made false statements in connection with the visit.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the commission’s spokesperson and Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, the ICPC said it approved the former governor’s hospital visit in compliance with a court order and in fulfilment of its legal responsibility to protect the rights and welfare of individuals in its custody.
According to the commission, the Kaduna State High Court had scheduled July 6, 7 and 8, 2026, for the accelerated hearing of criminal charges against El-Rufai. However, the former governor did not appear when proceedings commenced on the first day.
The ICPC said its prosecution team informed the court that officers had arrived to escort El-Rufai to the courtroom but he declined, insisting on seeing his personal physician.
The commission further stated that no formal request for such a consultation had been submitted beforehand. It added that its in-house medical doctor had asked El-Rufai whether he had any urgent medical complaints, but he reportedly said he did not. Instead, he allegedly explained that his wife, Asia El-Rufai, who is also one of his legal representatives, had requested that he be examined by Professor Bello Abubakar.
Following the development, the court 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 requesting the transfer of the case.
Despite the adjournment, the commission said it proceeded with the medical visit in obedience to the court’s directive.
The ICPC explained that the consultation took place on Tuesday at the private wing of the National Hospital in the Federal Capital Territory, adding that its medical and security personnel conducted themselves professionally and respected El-Rufai’s privacy throughout the visit.
The commission noted that, at the request of the former governor’s family, its officers remained outside the consultation room while an attending oncologist examined him.
However, the anti-corruption agency alleged that it later discovered photographs posted on Facebook by one of El-Rufai’s political associates, Isa Ashiru Kudan. The images reportedly showed the former governor receiving several visitors, including Professor Abubakar, during the period allocated for the medical consultation.
According to the commission, the photographs suggested that the hospital visit was used for activities beyond the purpose approved by both the court and the ICPC.
“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 statement read.
The commission maintained that it had treated El-Rufai and other suspects in its custody with patience, professionalism and respect, but alleged that the goodwill extended to the former governor had been abused.
It added that it would draw the court’s attention to what it described as El-Rufai’s alleged disregard for the conditions of the court-approved medical visit.
“The professional and humane nature of the ICPC should not be taken for granted,” the commission stated.
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