Nasir El-Rufai
The family of the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of violating a subsisting court order regarding his detention conditions. In separate statements released on Friday, May 15, 2026, the former governor’s wife, Aichatou El-Rufai, and his son, Representative Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, alleged that anti-graft operatives denied the detainee access to his personal physician and restricted family care.
Alleged Denial of Medical Access
According to Aichatou El-Rufai, the former governor’s physician visited the ICPC headquarters on Thursday afternoon to follow up on recent medical tests. However, commission operatives reportedly blocked the visit, stipulating that the medical practitioner must obtain written clearance from the ICPC Chairman.
"The doctor was prevented from seeing him by operatives who insisted that the doctor must present written approval by their chairman," Aichatou El-Rufai stated. She characterized the restriction as a direct violation of an explicit court order granting her husband unfettered medical access.
Representative Bello El-Rufai, who represents the Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, corroborated the account, noting the physician arrived at approximately 3:00 PM to discuss diagnostic results. He described the agency's demands as a contradiction of established legal directives.
Restrictions on Food Delivery
The family further alleged that the commission has introduced arbitrary protocols to limit basic welfare. Aichatou El-Rufai reported that she was turned away from the facility at approximately 7:00 PM on Friday while attempting to deliver dinner to her husband. Law enforcement personnel reportedly cited a policy prohibiting food deliveries after 6:30 PM.
In his statement, Representative El-Rufai condemned the evening curfew on provisions, labeling the measure an infraction on his father's constitutional rights.
"No lawful detention justifies denying medical access or refusing basic family care based on an arbitrary curfew fixed by the ICPC," the lawmaker stated, calling on the commission to adhere strictly to the rule of law and standard legal protocols.
Awaiting Official Response
The allegations introduce further complexity to the ongoing controversy surrounding the detention of the former governor.
As of the time of publication, the ICPC has not issued an official statement responding to the specific allegations raised by the El-Rufai family regarding the court order or the operational guidelines governing visitation hours.