ABUJA— Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has “rejected allegations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, that he abused medical privileges and violated a court order.”
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, “El-Rufai described the ICPC’s July 7 statement as inaccurate in both facts and law.” The statement said “El-Rufai’s absence from court on July 6 resulted from unresolved health concerns already communicated to the ICPC before the hearing.”
It alleged that “his personal physician, Prof. Bello Abubakar, was denied access to examine him despite prior coordination with the commission’s medical personnel.” According to the statement, “the family later requested that El-Rufai be taken to the National Hospital, Abuja, for a medical consultation scheduled for July 7.” It maintained that “the medical request predated notification of the July 6 court sitting in Kaduna and was consistent with an existing court order.” The statement argued that “El-Rufai’s health condition made the journey to Kaduna impossible, contrary to the ICPC’s claim that he refused to attend court.”
It also faulted “the commission’s account that El-Rufai had no immediate medical complaints and only sought to see his physician at his wife’s request.” The rebuttal stated that “the prosecution attempted to present its account from the Bar without calling witnesses or tendering evidence before the court.” It added that “the defence objected, insisting such allegations required sworn testimony and cross examination.” According to the statement, “the court adjourned the matter until July 15 to hear El-Rufai’s recusal application and await a decision on a pending transfer petition.”
The statement further argued that “the ICPC omitted key facts, including an April 1 court order guaranteeing El-Rufai access to medical care while in custody.” It denied “claims that El-Rufai violated any court order during his hospital visit, insisting no order restricted who could see him while receiving treatment.” The statement said “the April 1 order only required the ICPC to facilitate medical access and imposed no additional conditions.”
It accused “the ICPC of changing the approved hospital appointment from 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. without prior notice to the family.” According to the statement, “El-Rufai remained briefly in a public area awaiting his medical report, during which visitors greeted him.” It argued that “the commission’s claim of a political gathering ignored the fact that ICPC officials controlled the visit and security arrangements.”
The statement described “access to medical care as a legal right protected by the court order and the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.” It warned that “any restriction of El-Rufai’s access to medical care, family or legal counsel would attract contempt proceedings against the commission.” The statement also questioned “the arrest of Prof. Abubakar, demanding details of the alleged false statements attributed to the physician.” It called for “the professor’s immediate and unconditional release pending disclosure of the allegations against him.”
The statement maintained that “no court order had been disobeyed and insisted the ICPC had complied with, rather than breached, the medical access order.” It urged “the commission to retract its July 7 statement alleging violation of a court order.” The statement reaffirmed “El-Rufai’s commitment to defending his right to a fair trial, medical care of his choice and treatment in accordance with the law.”