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 the agency’s custody.
The anti-graft commission also announced the arrest of El-Rufai’s personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar, over allegations of making false statements in connection with the incident.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson and Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, the ICPC said it approved El-Rufai’s medical visit in compliance with a court directive and in line with its responsibility to safeguard the rights and welfare of individuals in its custody.
The commission disclosed that the Kaduna State High Court had fixed July 6, 7 and 8, 2026, for the accelerated hearing of criminal charges against the former governor. However, El-Rufai reportedly failed to appear in court on the opening day of the proceedings.
According to the ICPC, its prosecution team informed the court that officers who arrived to escort the former governor to the courtroom were told he wanted to see his personal doctor instead.
The commission further stated that no formal request had been submitted for the consultation before the scheduled court appearance. It added that its medical personnel who attended to El-Rufai were informed that he had no immediate medical complaints and that the request to see his personal physician came at the instance of his wife, Asia El-Rufai, who is also a member of his legal team.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter until July 15, 2026, 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 his petition requesting the transfer of the case.
Following the adjournment, the ICPC said it approved the medical visit in line with the court’s directive.
The commission explained that its medical and security personnel accompanied El-Rufai to the private wing of the National Hospital, Abuja, where they remained outside the consultation room at the request of his family to allow the attending oncologist examine him privately.
However, the ICPC alleged that photographs later shared on Facebook by Isa Ashiru Kudan, a political associate of the former governor and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Kaduna State, showed El-Rufai receiving several visitors, including Professor Abubakar, during the period approved solely for medical consultation.
According to the commission, the images suggested that the medical visit was used for activities outside the scope of the court’s approval.
“The images and post indicated that the arranged medical visit was utilised for activities outside the scope contemplated by the court and the ICPC. This amounts to a clear violation of the court order,” the commission stated.
The ICPC maintained that it had handled El-Rufai and other suspects in its custody professionally and with respect for their rights, but said such goodwill should not be abused.
The commission said it would bring the alleged breach to the attention of the court and stressed that it remained committed to operating within the law.
It also confirmed that Professor Bello Abubakar had been taken into custody for further investigation over alleged false statements related to the incident.
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