By Omeiza Ajayi
ABUJA – The wife of former Kaduna State Governor, Hajiya Asiya El-Rufai, on Tuesday evening, made an emotional appeal to President Bola Tinubu, reminding him of the support she and her husband gave his 2023 presidential campaign leading to his victory, while pleading for what she described as fair treatment for the detained former governor.
Asiya, who was flanked by El-Rufai’s other wife, Aichatou, was reacting to the arrest of her husband’s personal physician, Prof. Bello Abubakar, as confirmed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ICPC on Tuesday.
She also alleged that her husband, who she said was diagnosed with High Blood Pressure and High Blood Sugar level, was denied access to medical treatment.
Speaking with journalists at her residence in Abuja, Asiya said the family was not asking the President to interfere with the judicial processes or halt the prosecution of El-Rufai, but to ensure that he enjoys the constitutional rights available to every Nigerian, including access to medical care, family members, lawyers and bail on reasonable terms.
In an emotional message directed at President Tinubu, she recalled the sacrifices she and her husband made for the President during the 2023 electioneering campaign.
She said; “Mr. President Sir, I campaigned for you. I stood up and went to every nook and cranny of Kaduna State for you. My husband stood by your side. Is this what our family deserves? The ball is in your court, Mr. President. All these can stop if you say a word. We believe that you are a father and we know you can empathise.”
While appealing for compassion, Asiya disclosed that the family was not seeking special treatment or political interference in the legal process. “Please let him go free. I am not asking you to tell them not to prosecute him, but we are asking you to allow him the basic human rights that the Constitution you swore to uphold and defend guarantees. Let them give him the bail that he can afford. If he is guilty, let the court decide; if he is innocent, let the court decide.”
She alleged that El-Rufai’s continued detention and the restrictions placed on access to his doctors and relatives had left the family traumatised and living in fear. “We, the family, are traumatised. We live in constant fear that we will wake up and hear some bad news,” she said.
Describing the situation as psychological pressure on both her husband and the family, she added: “I honestly think that what they are doing is more about psychological warfare against Malam and against his family. If they humiliate us, dehumanise us and put us in constant fear, they feel that affects Malam.”
Asiya also questioned the reported decision to deny El-Rufai’s personal physician access to him. “We were told that orders from ‘above’ said Professor Bello Abubakar cannot have access to anybody for 24 hours. Who is the ‘above’?” she asked.
The family equally alleged that El-Rufai had been denied regular access to his personal doctors, while visits by relatives had become increasingly restricted. They also expressed concern over a medical report purportedly issued by the National Hospital Abuja, saying questions surrounding the document’s authenticity and the circumstances under which it was issued should be properly investigated through the consultant whose name appeared on it.
According to the family, the restrictions have made it difficult for the former governor to adequately prepare his defence. “We do not shy away from defending ourselves, but we want a fair trial. We want an opportunity to be heard. Malam cannot adequately prepare for his defence while he remains in custody and has limited access to his lawyers,” she stressed.
The family appealed for El-Rufai to be granted bail on conditions he could reasonably meet pending the conclusion of his trial, insisting that the courts should be allowed to determine his guilt or innocence. “We are only asking that he be given the basic human rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Let him be granted bail on reasonable terms. If he is guilty, let the court decide. If he is innocent, let the court also decide,” she said.
