By Luminous Jannamike
ABUJA — The African Democratic Congress, ADC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, yesterday traded accusations over the hospital visit and detention conditions of former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
While the ADC accused the anti-graft agency of denying El-Rufai adequate medical care and violating his rights in detention, the ICPC alleged that the former governor abused a court-approved medical visit and breached the conditions under which it was granted.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC alleged that El-Rufai was taken to the National Hospital, Abuja, where doctors recommended that he be admitted because of his deteriorating health.
According to the party, ICPC officials rejected the recommendation and insisted on returning him to custody.
The ADC further claimed that protests by El-Rufai’s wife and personal physician over the decision led to a confrontation during which his wife was assaulted and the doctor arrested.
“Against the hospital’s advice that he would require hospitalisation in view of his failing health, officials of the ICPC insisted on returning him into custody. Protests by his personal physician and his wife led to scuffles during which his wife was assaulted and the doctor subsequently arrested,” Abdullahi alleged.
The opposition party described the development as an assault on constitutional rights, due process and human dignity, alleging that El-Rufai had also been denied access to his family and personal physician despite a court order permitting such access.
It accused President Bola Tinubu of bearing responsibility for El-Rufai’s continued detention, describing the former governor as a political prisoner.
“The world should know today that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is holding a political prisoner in Nigeria by the name of Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai,” Abdullahi said.
However, the ICPC rejected the allegations and accused El-Rufai of violating the purpose of a court-approved medical visit.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, John Odey, the Commission said the Kaduna State High Court had fixed July 6, 7 and 8 for accelerated hearing of criminal charges against El-Rufai, but proceedings could not commence after he allegedly declined to leave custody for court, insisting on consulting his personal physician.
The Commission said no prior request had been made for the consultation and that when questioned by its medical doctor, El-Rufai reportedly stated that he had no immediate medical complaints but wanted to see his physician at the request of his wife, Asia El-Rufai, who is also one of his counsel.
According to the ICPC, the court subsequently adjourned proceedings until July 15 to hear El-Rufai’s application seeking the recusal of the trial judge and to await a directive from the Kaduna State Chief Judge on a pending request for transfer of the case.
The anti-graft agency said it nevertheless facilitated the hospital visit in compliance with the court’s directives and its obligation to ensure the welfare of persons in custody.
The Commission said its medical and security personnel accompanied El-Rufai to the private wing of the National Hospital and remained outside the consultation room while he was examined by an oncologist.
The ICPC said concerns arose after photographs surfaced on Facebook showing El-Rufai with his personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar, and three other individuals during the hospital visit.
The photographs were reportedly posted by El-Rufai’s political associate, Isa Kudan, who stated that they had just concluded a meeting with the former governor.
“The images and post by Isa Kudan indicated that the arranged medical visit was utilised for activities outside the scope contemplated by the court and the ICPC. This is a clear violation of the court order,” the Commission stated.
The ICPC said the development led to the arrest of Professor Bello Abubakar for allegedly making false statements and disclosed that it would bring the matter to the attention of the court.
