El-Rufai doctor arrested – Freedom Online

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) has arrested Prof. Bello Abubakar, personal physician to former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, for allegedly abusing a court-approved medical examination.

Commission spokesperson John Odey said this in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

Odey said El-Rufai’s personal doctor was arrested for allegedly making false statements in connection with a court-approved medical examination.

He said the visit was granted to El-Rufai at the private wing of the National Hospital, FCT, with the understanding that he would receive medical treatment.

“However, photos later published online by a political associate, Isa Kudan, showed El-Rufai meeting with Prof. Abubakar and others at the same time.”

He said this indicates that the medical examination was used for activities outside the scope approved by the court, which the Commission described as an abuse of its goodwill and a violation of the court’s order.

He explained that the Kaduna State High Court has set July 6, 7 and 8 for the expedited hearing of pending criminal charges against El-Rufai, who is currently in the custody of the commission.

”However, on the first day of the hearing, the former governor did not appear before the court.

”The prosecution told the court that El-Rufai refused to be transported, insisting he wanted to see his personal doctor.

“The prosecution further stated that no prior request for medical consultation had been made to the Commission. When asked by the ICPC doctor, El-Rufai said he had no immediate complaint.”

He allegedly said that his wife, Asia El-Rufai, who is also one of his lawyers, asked him to see Abubakar, his personal doctor.

According to him, following the lawyer’s arguments, the court postponed the proceedings to July 15.

”The adjournment consisted of considering a recusal request from the trial judge and awaiting the chief judge’s direction on a transfer request.

”Despite this, the ICPC facilitated the medical examination in accordance with the court’s directives and its obligation to respect the rights and well-being of detained persons.

“The hospital visit took place on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, in the private wing of the National Hospital, FCT. The ICPC medical and security team conducted themselves in a professional manner and respected the privacy of the accused.”

Odey said that, at the family’s request, ICPC officers remained outside the consultation room, while the treating oncologist was allegedly examining El-Rufai.

”The commission was then confronted with photos posted on Facebook at 2pm by Isa Ashiru Kudan, a political associate of El-Rufai, showing a meeting with the former governor.

”The images showed Prof. Abubakar, Isa Kudan and three others with El-Rufai at the same time he was supposed to have a medical examination.

“The images indicated that the medical examination had been used for activities outside the scope approved by the court and the Commission, describing this as a clear violation of the court order.”

While stressing that the commission has remained patient, professional and courteous in dealing with El-Rufai and other suspects, Odey warned that such courtesies have been abused and that the commission will no longer tolerate this.

He added that Abubakar had been arrested for making false statements and for further investigation.

He said the commission would bring the alleged disobedience to the court’s attention and reiterated its commitment to operating within the law.