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Former Kaduna state governor Mallam Nasir el-Rufai was denied access to medical treatment for a worsening eye condition while in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Crimes Commission, ICPC, his spokesperson Muyiwa Adekeye said.
In a statement released on Friday 5 June 2026, Adekeye said ICPC officers ignored repeated requests from el-Rufai and his family for a hospital visit after his eyes became “visibly swollen, reddish and itchy”.
He said the discomfort increased during the night, alarming family members who visited him.
According to Adekeye, two ICPC officials examined el-Rufai’s eyes and were expected to arrange a hospital check-up or call a doctor. Instead, he said, no medical care was provided.
“The persistent eye problem during his time in custody had led Mallam’s defenders to obtain a court order to allow him access to his doctors and medical treatment,” Adekeye said. “Despite this, the ICPC continues to treat him as if he has no rights and is undeserving of the duty of care while he is in their custody.”
Adekeye further alleged that an official identified as “Henry”, believed to be seconded to the ICPC from another agency, had falsely told a family member that el-Rufai had refused to consult a doctor. The claim was “vigorously disputed” by the family, he said, describing it as “false, insensitive and absurd.”
He added that this is “not the first time ICPC officials have attempted to attribute to Mallam what he did not tell them.”
el-Rufai was taken to an eye clinic on Thursday, June 4, but his condition worsened overnight, raising the alarm of his wives who visited him on Friday, the statement said.
Adekeye warned that no government agency can ignore the medical needs of prisoners.
“The ICPC must respect the human rights of people in its custody, obey court orders and allow them access to the medical care they need,” he said.
The ICPC had yet to respond to the allegations at press time.
