ICPC Accused of Denying El-Rufai Medical Care in Custody — Aide

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is allegedly being denied access to proper medical care while in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), according to his Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye.

In a statement released on Saturday, Adekeye claimed that El-Rufai’s requests to see a doctor over a worsening eye condition were ignored by officials of the anti-graft agency.

The aide said the former governor had complained of swollen, reddish and itchy eyes, prompting concern from family members who visited him in custody. Although two ICPC officials reportedly observed his condition, no medical attention was arranged.

Adekeye disclosed that El-Rufai had earlier been taken to an eye clinic on June 4, but his condition allegedly deteriorated afterward.

He further accused an official identified as Henry, said to be attached to the commission from another agency, of falsely informing the family that El-Rufai declined medical treatment.

According to Adekeye, El-Rufai’s lawyers had already secured a court order granting him access to his doctors and medical treatment, but the ICPC was allegedly disregarding the order and failing to uphold his rights while in custody.

He stressed that no government agency has the right to deny medical care to individuals under detention.

The latest allegation comes weeks after El-Rufai’s family similarly accused the commission of blocking access to his personal doctor and preventing food deliveries brought by his wife, Aishatu.

The family had alleged that the former governor’s doctor was denied access at the ICPC headquarters despite arriving to discuss medical test results, while his wife was reportedly turned away with his evening meal due to internal restrictions on food deliveries after 6:30 p.m.

However, the ICPC had previously denied the allegations.