By Joy Yesufu Attah Ede
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has alleged that former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, violated 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 medical consultation.
The allegations were contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the ICPC’s spokesperson and Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey.
According to the commission, it facilitated El-Rufai’s visit to the National Hospital, Abuja, in compliance with a court directive and its statutory obligation to safeguard the welfare and rights 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.
However, it alleged that El-Rufai failed to appear in court on the first day of proceedings.
The commission said its prosecution team informed the court that when officers arrived to escort El-Rufai to the courtroom, he declined to leave custody, insisting on seeing his personal physician.
According to the statement, the commission’s medical doctor had inquired about El-Rufai’s health, but he reportedly indicated that he had no immediate medical complaints and explained that his wife, Aisa El-Rufai, who is also one of his legal counsel, requested that he consult his personal doctor.
The ICPC said the trial 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 requesting the transfer of the case.
Despite the adjournment, the commission said it approved the medical consultation in line with the court’s directive.
It explained that during the hospital visit at the private wing of the National Hospital, Abuja, its medical and security personnel remained outside the consultation room at the request of El-Rufai’s family to respect his privacy while he was being attended to by an oncologist.
However, the commission alleged that it later discovered photographs posted on Facebook by one of El-Rufai’s political associates, Isa Ashiru Kudan, showing the former governor receiving several visitors, including Professor Abubakar, during the period designated solely for medical consultation.
The ICPC argued that the photographs suggested the hospital visit was used for activities beyond the scope approved by the court, describing the development as a violation of the court’s order.
The commission further alleged that Professor Abubakar was taken into custody for further investigation over alleged false statements made in relation to the medical visit.
It maintained that it had handled El-Rufai and other suspects in its custody professionally and in accordance with the law but would draw the alleged breach to the attention of the court.
The ICPC reaffirmed its commitment to operating within the law, warning that it would not condone any attempt to abuse privileges granted to suspects while in its custody.
As of the time of filing this report, El-Rufai, his legal team and Professor Bello Abubakar had not publicly responded to the allegations.
