El-Rufai’s Family Protests Detention as ICPC Denies Health Claims

Relatives and supporters of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, have staged a protest at the headquarters of the Department of State Services in Abuja over his continued detention, amid growing controversy surrounding his health and ongoing trial.

The protest came as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission dismissed allegations that the former governor was being denied medical attention or food while in custody.

El-Rufai, who has remained in ICPC custody since February following an earlier detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, is facing trial over alleged national security-related offences.

His family and political allies accused security agencies of violating existing court directives regarding his custody and treatment.

Speaking during the protest, El-Rufai’s wife, Aisha, alleged that the family had been subjected to intimidation and surveillance since the former governor’s arrest.

“We now live in fear. We receive threats daily and our movements are being monitored,” she said.

She claimed that despite a court order permitting family access to El-Rufai, security operatives prevented her from seeing him and denied him adequate medical care.

According to her, the former governor was moved to a DSS facility after appearing before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, despite earlier court directives allegedly stating that he should remain in ICPC custody.

She added that El-Rufai resisted the move, insisting he was not an object to be transferred arbitrarily between agencies.

The family further demanded that he be allowed access to his personal doctors and called for what they described as an end to psychological harassment.

El-Rufai’s son, Bello, criticised the bail conditions imposed by the court, describing them as excessively stringent and politically motivated.

He questioned the requirement for a Level 17 civil servant with property in Abuja’s Maitama or Asokoro districts to stand as surety for the former governor.

Also speaking, Director-General of the El-Rufai Support Group Association, Uche Dialla, described the situation as psychological torture, arguing that moving the former governor between security facilities violated his rights and court orders.

Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress accused the Federal Government of using anti-corruption agencies to suppress opposition figures.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party alleged that El-Rufai’s detention had become politically motivated rather than a straightforward legal process.

The party also expressed concern over reports that the former governor had allegedly been denied access to medical treatment and food while in detention.

The ADC compared El-Rufai’s case with those of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, noting that both men, despite facing corruption allegations, were not being held in custody.

It alleged selective treatment of opposition politicians and accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of weaponising state institutions against perceived political rivals.

However, the ICPC dismissed the allegations, insisting that El-Rufai remained in custody because he had yet to meet his bail conditions.

Speaking during a briefing in Abuja, the commission’s spokesperson, John Odey, said the agency had complied fully with legal procedures and court directives.

“The court granted him bail, but he has not perfected the conditions. Once he does, he will be released immediately,” Odey stated.

He denied claims that El-Rufai was denied food or medical attention, saying the former governor had been allowed regular visits by family members and had access to medical personnel.

According to him, visitor records showed that members of El-Rufai’s family visited him several times on the day the allegations surfaced.

Odey added that the former governor had recently been taken to see his dentist and eye specialist under ICPC supervision.

He maintained that the case against El-Rufai was purely judicial and not politically driven.

“The ICPC does not engage in politics. He was investigated, arraigned and is currently standing trial before a competent court,” he said.

Meanwhile, Justice Abdulmalik on Monday granted El-Rufai bail in the sum of N100m with strict conditions.

The court ordered that his surety must own landed property in either Maitama or Asokoro and be a serving federal civil servant not below Grade Level 17.

The judge also directed El-Rufai to surrender all international passports and report monthly to the DSS pending the determination of the case.

The former governor was arraigned on an amended five-count charge bordering on alleged breaches of national security and cybercrime-related offences, to which he pleaded not guilty.

Also reacting to the development, former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Timi Frank, urged security agencies to ensure El-Rufai’s safety and adhere strictly to due process.

Frank warned against actions capable of escalating political tension, stressing that anti-corruption efforts must not be seen as instruments of political persecution.