ADC, ICPC Clash Over El-Rufai’s Medical Visit

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has accused former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai of violating the conditions attached to a court-approved medical visit while in its custody.

The anti-graft agency also confirmed the arrest of El-Rufai’s personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar, over allegations of making false statements during the incident.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson and Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, the commission said it approved the former governor’s medical visit in compliance with a court order and its responsibility to protect the rights and welfare of persons in custody.

According to the commission, the Kaduna State High Court had fixed July 6, 7 and 8, 2026, for the accelerated hearing of the criminal case against El-Rufai. However, proceedings could not begin on the first day because the former governor did not appear in court.

The ICPC said its lawyers informed the court that officers sent to bring El-Rufai to the courtroom were told he wanted to see his personal doctor instead.

The commission stated that no request for the medical consultation had been submitted before that day. It added that its medical doctor examined El-Rufai and found that he had not complained of any health problem. According to the commission, the former governor explained that he was seeking the consultation because his wife, Aisha El-Rufai, who is also one of his lawyers, wanted him to meet his personal physician.

Following the development, the court adjourned the matter until July 15, 2026, to hear El-Rufai’s application asking the trial judge to step aside from the case and to await the decision of the Kaduna State Chief Judge on a petition requesting that the matter be transferred to another judge.

Despite the adjournment, the ICPC said it still approved the hospital visit in line with the court’s directive.

The commission explained that during the visit to the private wing of the National Hospital in Abuja on Tuesday, its security and medical personnel stayed outside the consultation room at the request of El-Rufai’s family members while the attending oncologist carried out the examination.

However, the commission said it later discovered photographs shared on Facebook by one of El-Rufai’s political associates, Isa Ashiru, showing the former governor receiving several visitors, including Professor Abubakar, during the period meant for the medical consultation.

According to the ICPC, the photographs indicated that the visit extended beyond the purpose approved by the court and amounted to a breach of the conditions under which the medical trip was granted.

The agency stated that it had treated El-Rufai and other suspects in its custody professionally and respectfully but believed that its goodwill had been misused.

It said the alleged violation would be brought before the court during the ongoing trial.

The commission also confirmed that Professor Abubakar had been taken into custody for further investigation, maintaining that it would continue to operate within the law while taking action against anyone found to have abused official processes.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Kaduna State High Court postponed proceedings to await the decision of the Chief Judge on El-Rufai’s request for the case to be reassigned.

Justice Darius Khobo fixed July 15 for hearing after the defence asked him to withdraw from the matter, arguing that the former governor had lost confidence in obtaining justice before the court.

Lead prosecutor, Chief Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), informed the court that El-Rufai declined to appear because he wanted to see his personal doctor, despite not reporting any illness to the commission’s medical personnel.

He also disclosed that the prosecution was served with an application from the defence seeking the judge’s withdrawal from the case and a suspension of proceedings.

The prosecutor opposed the application, arguing that the Kaduna State Administration of Criminal Justice Law allows criminal proceedings to continue when a defendant deliberately stays away from court and does not recognise applications seeking to suspend such trials.

Counsel to the former governor, Ubong Akpan, urged the court not to proceed because a petition requesting the transfer of the case had already been submitted to the Chief Judge.

He argued that it would be proper to wait for the Chief Judge’s decision before continuing with the trial.

In his ruling, Justice Khobo agreed that the law permits a court to proceed where a defendant deliberately refuses to attend trial and that filing a recusal application does not automatically stop criminal proceedings.

However, he held that since the Chief Judge had already received the petition seeking a transfer of the matter, the court would wait for his directive before moving ahead with the case.

El-Rufai is standing trial on an amended nine-count charge involving alleged abuse of office, fraud, conferring undue advantage, irregular award and execution of public contracts, money laundering and unlawful handling of public funds during his eight years as governor of Kaduna State.

The ICPC alleged that the offences involved the diversion and mismanagement of public funds as well as breaches of procurement regulations.

The former governor has pleaded not guilty to all the charges and maintains that the case against him is politically motivated.

Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) accused the Federal Government of using state institutions to target El-Rufai for political reasons.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party claimed that the former governor was denied proper medical care after his health reportedly worsened.

The ADC also alleged that although doctors advised that El-Rufai should be admitted to the hospital, ICPC officials insisted on returning him to custody.

The opposition party further claimed that El-Rufai’s wife was assaulted during a disagreement with officials and that his personal physician was arrested after objecting to the decision.

The party argued that the treatment of the former governor raised concerns about respect for the rule of law, human rights and constitutional protections.

It also described El-Rufai as a political prisoner and accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of using law enforcement agencies against political opponents.

The ADC called for unrestricted access for El-Rufai to his family, lawyers and personal doctors, a review of his bail conditions, improved detention conditions, full compliance with constitutional safeguards for detainees and greater transparency from the ICPC regarding the matter.