Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has accused former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, of violating the conditions of a court-approved medical visit while in its custody.
The commission also announced the arrest of El-Rufai’s personal physician, Bello Abubakar, over allegations of making false statements.
The ICPC, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, John Odey, said it facilitated the medical visit in compliance with a court directive and its statutory obligation to respect the rights and welfare of persons in its custody.
According to the commission, the Kaduna State High Court had fixed July 6, 7 and 8 for the accelerated hearing of criminal charges against the former governor.
It said El-Rufai, however, failed to appear in court on the first day of the proceedings.
The commission said its prosecution team informed the court that when officers arrived to convey the former governor to court, he declined to accompany them, insisting on seeing his personal doctor.
According to the ICPC, no prior request for such medical consultation had been made to the commission.
It added that when questioned by the commission’s medical doctor, El-Rufai reportedly stated that he had no immediate medical complaints but said his wife, Asia El-Rufai, who is also one of his legal counsel, requested that he consult his personal physician.
The commission said the trial court subsequently adjourned proceedings until July 15 to hear an application by the defendant seeking the recusal of the trial judge and to await the directive of the Chief Judge of Kaduna State on a pending petition for transfer of the case.
The ICPC said that notwithstanding the adjournment, it granted El-Rufai’s request to receive medical attention under appropriate security arrangements.
It explained that officers of its medical and security teams remained outside the consultation room at the request of members of the former governor’s family while he was being attended to at the private wing of the National Hospital, Abuja.
The commission, however, alleged that it later discovered photographs posted on Facebook by one of El-Rufai’s political associates, Isa Ashiru Kudan, showing the former governor in the company of his physician and other individuals during the period designated for the medical consultation.
According to the ICPC, the photographs suggested that the hospital visit was used for activities beyond the scope of the court-approved medical appointment.
“The images indicated that the arranged medical visit was utilised for activities outside the scope contemplated by the court and the commission. This is a clear violation of the court order,” the statement said.
The anti-graft agency said it would draw the court’s attention to what it described as the defendant’s disobedience of the court order.
It added that the commission had acted professionally and humanely in handling El-Rufai and other suspects in its custody but would no longer tolerate any abuse of its goodwill.
The ICPC further disclosed that Prof. Abubakar had been taken into custody for further investigation over alleged false statements.
The commission reiterated its commitment to operating within the ambit of the law while ensuring that its goodwill was not abused.
