Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has rejected allegations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission , CPC, that he abused medical privileges and violated a court order.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai described the ICPC’s July 7 statement as inaccurate in both facts and law.
The statement said El-Rufai’s absence from court on July 6 resulted from unresolved health concerns already communicated to the ICPC before the hearing.
It alleged that his personal physician, Prof. Bello Abubakar, was denied access to examine him despite prior coordination with the commission’s medical personnel.
According to the statement, the family later requested that El-Rufai be taken to the National Hospital, Abuja, for a medical consultation scheduled for July 7.
It maintained that the medical request predated notification of the July 6 court sitting in Kaduna and was consistent with an existing court order.
The statement argued that El-Rufai’s health condition made the journey to Kaduna impossible, contrary to the ICPC’s claim that he refused to attend court.
It also faulted the commission’s account that El-Rufai had no immediate medical complaints and only sought to see his physician at his wife’s request.
The rebuttal stated that the prosecution attempted to present its account from the Bar without calling witnesses or tendering evidence before the court.
It added that the defence objected, insisting such allegations required sworn testimony and cross examination.
According to the statement, the court adjourned the matter until July 15 to hear El-Rufai’s recusal application and await a decision on a pending transfer petition.
