ICPC arrests El-Rufai’s personal doctor, alleges breach of court order

Nigeria's Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested Bello Abubakar, the personal physician of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. The arrest stems from alleged false statements made during a court-sanctioned medical visit for the former governor.

The ICPC further accused El-Rufai of misusing the approved hospital visit. According to the commission, he allegedly met with political associates instead of undergoing the expected medical consultation, which constitutes a violation of the court's order. These allegations were detailed in a statement released by the ICPC on Tuesday.

The Kaduna State High Court had scheduled July 6-8 for an accelerated hearing of criminal charges against El-Rufai. However, he did not appear in court on the first day. The ICPC stated that its counsel informed the court that El-Rufai refused to accompany officers for his court appearance, insisting on seeing his personal physician. The commission noted that no prior request for this medical consultation had been made.

When questioned by ICPC medical personnel, El-Rufai reportedly stated he had no immediate medical complaints but explained his wife, also one of his lawyers, had requested he consult Abubakar. Despite the ongoing legal proceedings and adjournment until July 15, the ICPC approved the medical visit to comply with the court's directive and respect El-Rufai's rights. However, the commission later discovered photographs on Facebook showing El-Rufai with Abubakar, political associate Isa Ashiru Kudan, and others, indicating the visit was used for activities beyond the court-approved medical consultation. The ICPC plans to bring this violation to the court's attention.

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The arranged medical visit was utilised for activities outside the scope contemplated by the court and the ICPC.