BREAKING: ICPC arrests El-Rufai’s doctor over alleged abuse of Court-approved medical visit

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has accused former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, of violating a court-approved medical visit while in its custody, describing the incident as a clear breach of a court order.

The Commission also announced the arrest of El-Rufai’s personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar, for allegedly making false statements in connection with the incident.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the ICPC.

According to the Commission, 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, on the first day of the hearing, El-Rufai reportedly failed to appear in court.

The ICPC said its prosecution team informed the court that when officers moved to transport the former governor from custody to the courtroom, he declined, insisting that he needed to consult his personal physician before attending the proceedings.

The Commission stated that no formal request had been submitted to it before El-Rufai made the demand.

It further disclosed that when questioned by the Commission’s medical officer, El-Rufai reportedly said he had no immediate medical complaints but explained that his wife, Asia El-Rufai, who is also one of his lawyers, requested that he consult his personal doctor.

Following arguments by both parties, the Kaduna State High Court adjourned the matter until July 15, 2026, to consider El-Rufai’s application seeking the trial judge’s recusal and to await the decision of the state’s Chief Judge on a petition requesting that the case be transferred.

The ICPC said that despite the adjournment, it approved El-Rufai’s request for medical attention in compliance with the court’s directive and under appropriate security arrangements.

According to the Commission, the visit took place at the private wing of the National Hospital, Abuja, on Tuesday, July 7, where its officers respected the former governor’s privacy by remaining outside the consultation room at the request of his family.

However, the Commission said it later discovered photographs posted on Facebook by El-Rufai’s political associate, Isa Ashiru Kudan, indicating that a meeting had taken place with the former governor during the supposed medical consultation.

The ICPC said the images showed Professor Bello Abubakar, Isa Ashiru Kudan and three other individuals with El-Rufai inside the hospital.

> “The images and post by Isa Kudan indicated that the arranged medical visit was utilised for activities outside the scope contemplated by the court and the ICPC. This is a clear violation of the court order,” the Commission stated.

The anti-graft agency said it had exercised patience and professionalism in handling El-Rufai and other suspects in its custody but insisted that its goodwill had been abused.

It vowed to bring the alleged violation to the attention of the court.

“The professional and humane nature of the ICPC should not be taken for granted,” the statement added.

The Commission further disclosed that Professor Bello Abubakar had been taken into custody as investigations continue.

Reaffirming its commitment to due process, the ICPC said it would continue to operate within the law while warning that it would no longer tolerate any abuse of its goodwill by individuals or groups.

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