Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed allegations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission that he abused medical privileges and violated a court order while in the commission’s custody.
El-Rufai, in a statement issued on Wednesday through his media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, described the anti-graft agency’s July 7 statement as “false, inaccurate in facts and law,” insisting that his absence from a court sitting in Kaduna on July 6 was occasioned by genuine health challenges.
He maintained that the commission had been informed of his medical condition before the hearing and that arrangements had already been made for him to undergo medical consultation at the National Hospital Abuja.
According to the statement, El-Rufai’s personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar, was allegedly prevented from examining him despite prior coordination with the commission’s medical team.
The former governor argued that his medical appointment had been scheduled before he was notified of the July 6 court sitting, adding that his health condition made the journey to Kaduna impossible.
He therefore rejected the ICPC’s claim that he deliberately refused to appear before the court.
The statement further accused the commission of presenting allegations against him from the bar without calling witnesses or tendering evidence before the court, adding that the defence objected on the grounds that such claims ought to be established through sworn testimony and cross-examination.
El-Rufai disclosed that the matter had been adjourned until July 15 for the hearing of his application seeking the judge’s recusal and pending determination of a transfer petition.
He also accused the anti-corruption agency of omitting what he described as critical facts, including an April 1 court order granting him unrestricted access to medical care while in custody.
According to him, no court order barred visitors from seeing him during his hospital visit, insisting that the only obligation imposed by the court was for the ICPC to facilitate his access to medical treatment.
The statement further alleged that the commission unilaterally changed his approved hospital appointment from 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. without notifying his family.
It added that while awaiting his medical report in a public area of the hospital, several visitors greeted him, stressing that the ICPC’s description of the encounter as a political gathering was misleading since the commission controlled the security arrangements throughout the visit.
El-Rufai maintained that access to medical care remains a fundamental legal right protected by the court order and international standards governing the treatment of detainees.
He warned that any attempt to deny him access to medical treatment, family members or legal counsel could result in contempt proceedings against the commission.
The former governor also questioned the arrest of his physician, Professor Bello Abubakar, demanding details of the alleged false statements attributed to the doctor and calling for his immediate and unconditional release.
He insisted that he had not disobeyed any court order and urged the ICPC to withdraw its July 7 statement accusing him of violating judicial directives.
El-Rufai reaffirmed his commitment to defending his right to a fair trial and to receiving medical care of his choice in accordance with the law.
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