The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has explained the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Professor Bello Abubakar, personal physician to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, over allegations of making false statements during a court-approved hospital visit.
According to the anti-graft agency, the doctor was arrested after photographs emerged showing the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Kaduna State, Isa Ashiru, and other visitors meeting with El-Rufai during his medical visit to the National Hospital, Abuja.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Demola Bakare, the commission said El-Rufai was taken to the hospital’s private wing on July 7 under security arrangements approved by the Kaduna State High Court to receive medical treatment.
The ICPC said its security and medical personnel acted professionally throughout the visit and remained outside the consultation room while El-Rufai was being examined by an oncologist.
However, the commission said concerns arose after Isa Ashiru shared photographs on Facebook showing himself, Professor Abubakar and three other individuals meeting with the former governor during the hospital visit.
According to the agency, the images suggested that the visit may have been used for activities beyond the medical consultation authorised by the court.
“The images and post by Isa Ashiru indicated that the arranged medical visit was utilised for activities outside the scope contemplated by the court and the ICPC. This is a clear violation of the court order,” the statement said.
The ICPC said Professor Abubakar was subsequently taken into custody for allegedly making false statements regarding the circumstances surrounding the visit, adding that professional courtesies extended to El-Rufai had been abused and warranted further investigation.
The commission did not specify the alleged false statements made by the physician, noting that investigations remain ongoing.
Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ICPC of arresting the doctor because he insisted El-Rufai required admission to the hospital. The party also alleged that ICPC operatives assaulted both the physician and El-Rufai’s wife, claims the commission denied, insisting its officers acted professionally.
Separately, El-Rufai’s wife, Hajia Asiya El-Rufai, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to ensure that her husband’s constitutional rights are protected. While maintaining that she was not opposed to his prosecution, she urged that the legal process should respect his rights and expressed confidence that the President could intervene to ensure fairness.
