Fresh controversy has erupted surrounding the detention of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, after his son, Bello El-Rufai, accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission of denying his father access to food and proper medical attention while in custody. The allegation has sparked widespread reactions online and intensified conversations about the treatment of high-profile detainees in Nigeria.
According to Bello El-Rufai, the situation became troubling after his father’s personal doctor reportedly visited the ICPC facility on Friday afternoon to discuss the outcome of medical examinations recently carried out on the former governor. However, he alleged that officials at the anti-corruption agency prevented the doctor from seeing El-Rufai, insisting that written approval from the ICPC chairman was required before access could be granted.
Bello further claimed that the action violated an existing court order which allegedly granted the former governor unrestricted access to his doctors and medical care while in detention. He argued that denying a detainee medical consultation, especially when health concerns are involved, raises serious questions about constitutional rights and adherence to the rule of law. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The lawmaker also alleged that later in the evening, El-Rufai’s wife, Aichatou, was prevented from delivering his evening meal at the detention facility. According to him, officials informed her that food deliveries were no longer allowed after 6:30 pm due to internal directives. Bello described the restriction as arbitrary and unnecessary, insisting that basic welfare and family access should not be treated as privileges.
In a strongly worded reaction, Bello accused the commission of attempting to intimidate his father through what he described as administrative obstacles disguised as protocol. He maintained that no lawful detention should deny an individual access to healthcare or family support, warning that the family would continue to demand full respect for El-Rufai’s constitutional rights.
The controversy comes as the ICPC continues legal proceedings against the former Kaduna governor over allegations bordering on advance fee fraud and money laundering. The commission had earlier dragged El-Rufai before the court on a nine-count charge, a development that has continued to generate political debate across the country.
So far, the ICPC has not publicly responded to the allegations made by Bello El-Rufai regarding the denial of food and medical access. However, the claims have already triggered widespread discussions among political observers, legal analysts, and supporters of the former governor, many of whom are calling for transparency and strict compliance with constitutional provisions guiding the treatment of detainees in Nigeria.
