ICPC arrests El-Rufai’s doctor over hospital visit
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has arrested the personal physician of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over allegations that a court-approved medical visit was used for activities outside its approved purpose.
In a statement on Tuesday, the commission said Professor Bello Abubakar was taken into custody for further investigation after El-Rufai’s hospital visit at the National Hospital, Abuja.
The ICPC said it approved the medical visit in line with a court order and its obligation to respect the rights and welfare of persons in its custody.
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According to the commission, the Kaduna State High Court had fixed July 6, 7 and 8, 2026, for the accelerated hearing of criminal charges against El-Rufai, but he did not appear in court on the first day.
The commission said its prosecution team informed the court that El-Rufai declined to leave for court, insisting on seeing his personal doctor. It added that no prior request for the consultation had been made and that its medical doctor was told El-Rufai had no immediate medical complaint but was acting on the request of his wife, Asia El-Rufai, who is also one of his lawyers.
The court later adjourned the case until July 15, 2026, to hear El-Rufai’s application seeking the trial judge’s recusal and to await the decision of the Chief Judge of Kaduna State on a petition requesting that the case be transferred.
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The anti-graft agency said its medical and security personnel remained outside the consultation room during the hospital visit to respect the former governor’s privacy.
However, it said photographs later shared on Facebook by El-Rufai’s political associate, Isa Ashiru Kudan, showed the former governor receiving several visitors, including Professor Abubakar, during the period set aside for the medical consultation.
The commission said the photographs suggested that the hospital visit was used for activities beyond what the court approved and described the development as a violation of the court order.
The ICPC said it would bring the matter before the court and maintained that while it had treated suspects in its custody professionally and humanely, it would not allow its goodwill to be abused.
It added that the investigation into Professor Abubakar was ongoing.
