ICPC Arrests El-Rufai’s Doctor Over Alleged Abuse Of Court-Approved Medical Visit

• ICPC accuses former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai of violating a court-approved medical visit while in custody.
• The anti-graft agency arrests his personal physician, Prof. Bello Abubakar, over alleged false statements.
• Commission vows to ask the court to sanction the alleged breach as El-Rufai’s trial resumes on July 15.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested the personal physician of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, following allegations that the former governor abused a court-approved medical visit while in the agency’s custody.

The Commission said El-Rufai allegedly used the medical appointment for activities outside the scope authorised by the Kaduna State High Court, describing the incident as a direct violation of the court’s order.

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In a statement issued on Tuesday, the ICPC disclosed that Professor Bello Abubakar, El-Rufai’s personal physician, had been taken into custody over allegations of making false statements during the incident.\

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The agency explained that the Kaduna State High Court had scheduled July 6, 7 and 8, 2026, for the accelerated hearing of criminal charges against the former governor. However, proceedings could not continue on the first day after El-Rufai failed to appear in court.

According to the Commission, prosecutors informed the court that when officers arrived to escort El-Rufai from custody to the courtroom, he declined to accompany them, insisting on seeing his personal physician before attending the trial.

The ICPC maintained that no formal request had been made to the Commission before the demand for medical consultation.

It further stated that when questioned by its medical personnel, El-Rufai reportedly indicated that he had no immediate health complaints but explained that his wife, Asia El-Rufai, who is also a member of his legal team, requested that he consult Professor Abubakar.

Following arguments from both the prosecution and defence, the court adjourned the matter until July 15, 2026, to hear El-Rufai’s application seeking the recusal of the trial judge and to await the decision of the Kaduna State Chief Judge on a petition requesting the transfer of the case.

The Commission said it nevertheless complied with the court’s directive by allowing El-Rufai to receive medical attention under strict security supervision, stressing that it acted in line with its responsibility to safeguard the welfare and rights of persons in its custody.

According to the ICPC, the medical visit took place on Tuesday at the private wing of the National Hospital, Abuja, where security and medical personnel respected the former governor’s privacy by remaining outside the consultation room while he was being examined.

However, the Commission said events took a different turn after photographs surfaced on social media showing El-Rufai meeting with political associates during the hospital visit.

The agency identified one of the individuals as Isa Ashiru Kudan, who allegedly published the photographs on Facebook and claimed they had “just concluded a meeting” with the former governor.

The Commission said the images also showed Professor Bello Abubakar and three other individuals with El-Rufai while he was expected to be undergoing medical examination.

According to the ICPC, the photographs suggested that the hospital visit had been used for activities beyond the medical consultation approved by the court.

“The arranged medical visit was utilised for activities outside the scope contemplated by the court and the ICPC. This amounts to a clear violation of the court order,” the Commission stated.

It expressed disappointment that the professional courtesy extended to El-Rufai had allegedly been abused, warning that such concessions would no longer be tolerated.

The anti-graft agency said it would formally bring the alleged violation before the Kaduna State High Court and seek appropriate judicial action.

“The professional and humane disposition of the ICPC should never be taken for granted,” the statement added.

The Commission also confirmed that Professor Bello Abubakar had been arrested to assist ongoing investigations into the alleged misconduct.

Reaffirming its commitment to due process, the ICPC said it would continue to discharge its responsibilities strictly within the provisions of the law while ensuring that no individual exploits its goodwill or undermines lawful court directives.

The development adds another twist to the legal battle involving the former Kaduna governor, whose criminal trial is expected to resume on July 15 following the court’s adjournment.