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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for violating the rights of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai after the arrest of his personal physician, Prof. Bello Abubakar.
The party alleged that ICPC operatives assaulted El-Rufai’s wife during a visit to the National Hospital, Abuja, where the former governor was taken for medical treatment.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC claimed that doctors had recommended El-Rufai’s admission due to concerns about his health condition, but ICPC officials insisted on taking him back into custody.
The party said a disagreement involving El-Rufai’s wife and personal physician led to a confrontation, during which the doctor was arrested.
“Information reaching us is that El-Rufai was billed for treatment at the National Hospital in Abuja today. But against the hospital’s advice that he would require hospitalisation in view of his failing health, officials of the ICPC insisted on returning him into custody,” the ADC said.
The party further alleged that the situation had moved beyond a corruption investigation and amounted to political persecution.
“The world should know today that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is holding a political prisoner in Nigeria by the name of Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai,” the statement added.
The ADC accused the ICPC of denying El-Rufai access to his family, lawyers and doctors, saying such actions violated his constitutional rights.
The party demanded explanations from the anti-graft agency over the alleged denial of medical and family access, as well as the circumstances surrounding the arrest of El-Rufai’s physician.
“The ICPC owes Nigerians immediate explanations. On whose authority was access to his family denied? Why has access to his doctor been refused despite concerns about his health?” the party asked.
The ADC also called for a review of El-Rufai’s bail conditions and urged authorities to ensure compliance with constitutional safeguards.
The allegations came shortly after the ICPC announced the arrest of Prof. Bello Abubakar for allegedly making false statements.
The commission also accused El-Rufai of violating a court-approved medical visit by meeting political associates instead of undergoing a medical consultation.
The ICPC said it would present the alleged breach of the court order before the court.
