ICPC Arrests El-Rufai’s Physician Over Alleged Breach Of Court Order

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has accused former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, of breaching the conditions of a court-approved medical visit while in its custody and announced the arrest of his personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the anti-graft agency said the Kaduna State High Court had scheduled July 6, 7 and 8 for the accelerated hearing of criminal charges against the former governor, but he failed to appear in court on the opening day of proceedings.

According to the commission, El-Rufai declined to leave custody for the courtroom, insisting on seeing his personal doctor first. It said its medical officer found that he had no immediate health complaints and that the request for the consultation came from his wife, Asia El-Rufai, who is also a member of his legal team.

The ICPC said the court later adjourned the matter until July 15 to hear El-Rufai’s application seeking the trial judge’s recusal and to await the decision of the Chief Judge of Kaduna State on a petition requesting the transfer of the case.

The commission said it subsequently approved the medical visit in compliance with the court’s directive and under appropriate security arrangements, adding that its personnel respected the former governor’s privacy by remaining outside the consultation room during the examination.

However, the agency said it later discovered photographs posted on Facebook by El-Rufai’s political associate, Isa Ashiru Kudan, showing him and four others with the former governor during the hospital visit. It alleged that the images suggested the medical appointment had been used for activities beyond the purpose approved by the court.

The commission described the development as a violation of the court order, saying it would bring the alleged breach to the attention of the court. It added that it would no longer tolerate what it described as the abuse of the professional courtesies extended to suspects in its custody.

The ICPC also disclosed that Professor Bello Abubakar had been taken into custody for further investigation over alleged false statements, while reaffirming its commitment to due process and warning that it would not condone any misuse of its goodwill.