El-Rufai’s Family Blasts ICPC, Says He’s Being Denied Urgent Medical Care

In a statement released on Thursday, the family said the former governor is still being held by the anti-corruption agency despite a court order that granted him unrestricted access to his doctors.

According to the statement, El-Rufai’s personal physician arrived at the commission’s headquarters at about 3 p.m. on May 15 to brief him on the results of recent medical examinations. However, the family alleged that officials prevented the doctor from seeing him, insisting that prior written approval from the ICPC chairman was required.

The family described the action as a clear violation of the court order and an infringement on El-Rufai’s fundamental rights.

They further alleged that his wife, Aichatou El-Rufai, was denied access when she arrived around 7 p.m. with his evening meal. According to the family, ICPC officials informed her that food deliveries were not allowed after 6:30 p.m. due to internal directives.

Condemning the development, the family stated that no lawful detention should deprive an individual of access to medical care or basic family support based on what they described as arbitrary rules.

They accused the commission of engaging in what they termed “intimidation dressed up as protocol” and demanded that all constitutional rights guaranteed to the former governor be fully respected.

The family also disclosed that efforts were ongoing to ensure that El-Rufai eventually received his meal.