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| Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai |
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has accused former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, of breaching the conditions of a court-approved medical visit while in its custody.
The commission also confirmed the arrest of El-Rufai's personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar, over alleged false statements made during the incident.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson and Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, the ICPC said it facilitated the former governor's hospital visit in compliance with a court directive and its obligation to safeguard the welfare of persons in custody.
According to the commission, the Kaduna State High Court had scheduled an accelerated hearing of criminal charges against El-Rufai for July 6, 7 and 8, 2026. However, the former governor failed to appear in court on the opening day of proceedings.
The ICPC said its prosecution team informed the court that when officers arrived to escort El-Rufai to the hearing, he declined and requested to see his personal physician instead.
The commission stated that no prior request for a medical consultation had been submitted. It added that when questioned by the commission's medical doctor, El-Rufai reportedly said he had no immediate health complaints but explained that his wife, Asia El-Rufai, who is also a member of his legal team, had requested that he consult his personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar.
The anti-graft agency said the trial court subsequently adjourned the case until July 15, 2026, to consider 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 that the matter be transferred to another court.
Despite the adjournment, the ICPC said it approved the medical visit.
The commission disclosed that during the hospital visit on Tuesday at the private wing of the National Hospital, Abuja, its medical and security personnel acted professionally and respected the defendant's privacy. It noted that, at the request of El-Rufai's family, its officers remained outside the consultation room while an oncologist examined him.
However, the ICPC alleged that photographs later published on Facebook by one of El-Rufai's political associates, Isa Ashiru Kudan, showed the former governor receiving several visitors, including Professor Abubakar, during the period designated for the medical consultation.
According to the commission, the images suggested that the hospital visit was used for activities beyond the scope approved by both the court and the ICPC, describing the development as a clear violation of the court order.
The commission maintained that it had treated El-Rufai and other suspects in its custody with professionalism, patience and courtesy but alleged that its goodwill had been abused.
It said it would bring the alleged breach to the attention of the court, stressing that its humane approach should not be taken for granted.
The ICPC also announced that Professor Bello Abubakar had been taken into custody for further investigation.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to operating within the law, warning that it would not tolerate any abuse of its goodwill by any individual or group.