ICPC Denying El-Rufai Access to Medical Care, Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye Alleges

Muyiwa Adekeye, media adviser to former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of denying his principal access to medical care while in custody. Adekeye stated that El-Rufai has been complaining of itchy eyes, which are visibly swollen and reddish, and had requested permission to visit a hospital for examination.

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ICPC officials denied requests by Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to see a doctor. He had complained about his eyes, which are visibly swollen, reddish, and itchy.

According to Adekeye, ICPC officials denied El-Rufai's requests to see a doctor, despite two officials observing the condition of his eyes. The aide further alleged that the commission failed to accurately relay El-Rufai's situation to his family. A family member reportedly challenged an ICPC official named Henry, who falsely claimed El-Rufai did not wish to see a doctor.

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This is not the first time that ICPC officials will attempt to attribute to Mallam what he did not tell them.

Adekeye noted that El-Rufai had been taken to an eye clinic on June 4, but his condition worsened overnight, causing him significant discomfort and alarming his visiting wives. This is not the first time, Adekeye claimed, that ICPC officials have misrepresented El-Rufai's statements.

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The persistent problem with his eyes during his time in custody had led Mallam’s counsel to obtain a court order to enable him access to his doctors and medical treatment.

The media adviser criticized the ICPC for allegedly violating El-Rufai's rights and disregarding a court order obtained by his lawyers, which allows him access to his doctors and medical treatment. Adekeye emphasized that no government agency should deny individuals in its custody access to necessary medical care and must respect their human rights and court orders.

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No agency of the government is allowed to be indifferent to the medical condition of a person in their custody. The ICPC must respect the human rights of persons in its custody, obey court orders and allow them access to the medical treatment that they require.