ICPC Raises Concern Over El-Rufai’s Hospital Visit, Arrests Personal Physician
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding a court-approved medical visit granted to former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, who is currently in the Commission’s custody.
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 the former governor. However, El-Rufai did not appear in court on the first day of proceedings.
According to the ICPC, prosecutors informed the court that when officers arrived to convey El-Rufai to the court, he declined to leave custody, insisting on seeing his personal physician instead.
The Commission stated that no prior request had been submitted for the medical consultation. It added that its medical officer asked El-Rufai whether he had any immediate health complaints, but he reportedly said he did not, explaining that the request followed the advice of his wife, Asia El-Rufai, who is also one of his legal counsel, to consult his personal doctor, Professor Bello Abubakar.
Following submissions by both parties, the court adjourned the matter until July 15, 2026, to hear El-Rufai’s application seeking the recusal of the trial judge and to await the decision of the Chief Judge of Kaduna State on a pending petition for the transfer of the case.
The ICPC said it nevertheless complied with the court’s directive by facilitating the medical visit under appropriate security arrangements at the private wing of the National Hospital, Abuja.
According to the Commission, its medical and security personnel respected the defendant’s privacy by remaining outside the consultation room while the attending physician examined him.
However, the ICPC said concerns arose after photographs allegedly showing El-Rufai meeting with political associates during the hospital visit surfaced on social media.
The Commission said the images were posted on Facebook by Isa Ashiru Kudan, who claimed they had just concluded a meeting with the former governor. The photographs reportedly showed Professor Bello Abubakar and several other individuals with El-Rufai during the period he was expected to be undergoing medical consultation.
The ICPC described the development as a violation of the court-approved arrangement, maintaining that the hospital visit was intended strictly for medical purposes.
The anti-corruption agency said it had managed El-Rufai and other suspects in its custody professionally and with respect for their rights, but noted that such courtesies should not be abused.
It disclosed that it would bring the alleged breach of the court order to the attention of the court for appropriate action.
The Commission further announced that Professor Bello Abubakar had been taken into custody for further investigation over alleged false statements.
Reaffirming its commitment to due process, the ICPC said it would continue to operate within the provisions of the law while ensuring that its goodwill and professional conduct are not exploited.
ICPC Raises Concern Over El-Rufai’s Hospital Visit, Arrests Personal Physician