The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Federal Government and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of denying former Kaduna State Governor, Nasiru El-Rufai, access to medical care, alleging that his personal physician was arrested and his wife assaulted during a hospital visit in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the opposition party expressed concern over what it described as the deteriorating health condition of El-Rufai and warned that Nigeria risks sliding into authoritarianism if constitutional rights and judicial orders are disregarded.
According to the ADC, El-Rufai was taken to the National Hospital, Abuja, for medical attention but was allegedly returned to custody by ICPC officials despite medical advice recommending his hospitalisation.
The party claimed that efforts by El-Rufai’s personal physician and his wife to challenge the decision resulted in a confrontation with security operatives.
“Officials of the ICPC forcefully denied Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai access to medical care, arrested his personal physician and physically assaulted his wife,” the party alleged.
The ADC further contended that the treatment of the former governor has gone beyond routine law enforcement and now raises broader concerns about human rights, due process and the rule of law.
“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 said.
The party argued that denying a detainee access to medical treatment, family members and personal doctors runs contrary to constitutional guarantees and established legal standards governing the treatment of persons in custody.
It also questioned the legal basis for the alleged restrictions imposed on El-Rufai and called on the ICPC to provide explanations regarding the reported arrest of his physician and the alleged assault on his wife.
Among other demands, the ADC called for immediate and unrestricted access for El-Rufai to his family, legal representatives and medical practitioners, as well as a review of what it described as stringent bail conditions imposed on him.
The opposition party further urged authorities to ensure compliance with constitutional provisions and internationally recognised standards on the treatment of detainees.
The statement also accused the Tinubu administration of using anti-corruption agencies to target political opponents, an allegation the government has repeatedly denied in previous cases involving public officials and political figures.
The ICPC had not issued an official response to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.
The latest claims are expected to intensify political debate over El-Rufai’s detention and the wider concerns being raised by opposition parties regarding the conduct of anti-corruption investigations in the country.
Editor’s Note: The allegations contained in the ADC statement have not been independently verified. The ICPC is yet to publicly respond to the claims.
