ICPC Accuses El-Rufai of Violating Court-Approved Medical Visit, Arrests Personal Doctor
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has accused former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, of abusing a court-approved medical visit and violating a court order, while announcing the arrest of his personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar, for allegedly making false statements.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Commission said the Kaduna State High Court had scheduled July 6, 7 and 8, 2026, for the accelerated hearing of criminal charges against El-Rufai. However, the former governor did not appear in court on the first day of proceedings.
According to the ICPC, its officers were prepared to transport El-Rufai to court, but he declined, insisting on consulting his personal physician. The Commission said its own medical doctor found that the defendant had no immediate medical complaints and that the request for a consultation reportedly came from his wife, Asiya El-Rufai, who is also one of his legal counsel.
The Commission said the trial was subsequently adjourned until July 15, 2026, to hear El-Rufai’s application seeking the trial judge’s recusal and to await the decision of the Honourable Chief Judge of Kaduna State on a petition requesting the transfer of the case.
Despite the adjournment, the ICPC said it approved the medical visit in compliance with the court’s directives and its obligation to protect the rights and welfare of persons in custody.
The Commission explained that during the hospital visit at the private wing of the National Hospital Abuja, its medical and security personnel remained outside the consultation room to respect the defendant’s privacy while his doctor attended to him.
However, the ICPC alleged that a Facebook post made at about 2:00 p.m. by El-Rufai’s political associate, Isa Ashiru Kudan, showed photographs of a meeting involving El-Rufai, Professor Bello Abubakar and several others during the period designated for the medical consultation.
According to the Commission, the images suggested that the hospital visit was used for activities beyond the purpose approved by the court, describing the development as a clear violation of the court order.
The anti-corruption agency said it would bring the alleged breach to the attention of the court and warned that the professional courtesies extended to suspects and defendants in its custody should not be abused.
The ICPC further announced that Professor Bello Abubakar has been taken into custody for further investigation over allegations of making false statements.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to operating within the law, stressing that it would not tolerate the abuse of its goodwill by any individual or group.
