Former Nasir El-Rufai has dismissed allegations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission accusing him of exploiting medical treatment to evade legal proceedings and breaching a subsisting court directive.
In a statement released on Wednesday by his spokesperson, Muyiwa Adekeye, the former governor described the anti-corruption agency’s claims as misleading, insisting that the narrative presented by the commission did not accurately represent either the facts of the case or the applicable legal position.
The statement explained that El-Rufai’s failure to appear before the court was entirely due to health-related issues that had been communicated to the commission before the scheduled hearing. It maintained that his medical condition made it unsafe for him to undertake the journey to Kaduna, contrary to suggestions that he deliberately stayed away from court.
According to the statement, arrangements had been made for El-Rufai’s personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar, to examine him while he remained in custody. However, despite prior communication between the doctor and officials responsible for his welfare, the physician was allegedly prevented from carrying out the medical assessment.
The statement further disclosed that members of El-Rufai’s family had previously sought approval for him to attend a medical consultation at the National Hospital in Abuja on July 7. It stressed that the appointment had been scheduled before notification of the court sitting and was in line with an existing judicial order permitting him access to medical treatment.
Rejecting the commission’s version of events, the statement argued that El-Rufai’s deteriorating health made his appearance in Kaduna impossible. It also disputed the claim that he had no immediate medical complaint and only requested access to his doctor after intervention by his wife.
The former governor’s legal team also criticised the prosecution’s conduct during the court session, arguing that the allegations were merely presented from the bar without supporting witnesses or documentary evidence. The defence maintained that such serious claims could only be properly established through sworn testimony subjected to cross-examination before the court.
It added that the matter was subsequently adjourned until July 15 to allow the court determine El-Rufai’s application seeking the judge’s withdrawal from the case, while awaiting a decision on a pending request for the transfer of the trial.
The statement further accused the ICPC of deliberately omitting an earlier court order issued on April 1, which guaranteed El-Rufai unrestricted access to medical care throughout his detention. It argued that the order required the commission to facilitate his treatment and did not impose limitations on those permitted to visit him while receiving healthcare.
It also alleged that the commission altered the timing of his approved hospital visit without prior consultation, changing the appointment from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. and informing the family only after the adjustment had been made.
Responding to claims that the hospital visit became a political gathering, the statement explained that El-Rufai simply remained in a public waiting area until his medical report was ready, during which several acquaintances and supporters greeted him. It maintained that the entire visit was supervised by ICPC personnel, who remained responsible for security throughout the exercise.
The statement emphasised that access to medical care is a fundamental right guaranteed by the court’s directive and recognised under international standards governing the treatment of detainees. It warned that any attempt to obstruct El-Rufai’s access to healthcare, family members or legal representatives would amount to a violation of his rights and could expose the commission to contempt proceedings.
It also demanded clarification over the arrest of Professor Bello Abubakar, calling on the ICPC to publicly disclose the allegations against the physician or release him immediately if no lawful basis exists for his continued detention.
Concluding the statement, El-Rufai’s camp maintained that no court order had been violated and insisted the commission’s allegations were entirely unfounded. It called on the ICPC to withdraw its July 7 statement and reaffirmed the former governor’s commitment to defending his constitutional rights, ensuring a fair judicial process and receiving appropriate medical treatment in accordance with the law.
