Mohammed Bello, son of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission of violating his father’s rights by denying him access to medical care and family support while in detention.
In a statement released late Friday, Bello alleged that officials of the anti-corruption agency prevented El-Rufai’s personal doctor from seeing him despite an existing court order granting the former governor unrestricted access to his medical team.
According to Bello, the doctor visited the ICPC detention facility around 3pm on Friday to discuss the outcome of recent medical tests carried out on El-Rufai but was allegedly stopped by officials who insisted that approval from the ICPC chairman was required before access could be granted.
He described the action as a direct violation of the court’s directive and an infringement on the former governor’s constitutional rights.
Bello also claimed that El-Rufai’s second wife, Aichatou, was denied access when she attempted to deliver his evening meal at the facility after officials reportedly informed her that food deliveries were not permitted beyond 6:30pm.
According to him, such restrictions amount to intimidation disguised as administrative procedure and undermine the rule of law.
The former governor’s son insisted that no lawful detention should prevent a detainee from receiving medical attention or basic family care.
He further warned that the family would no longer tolerate any violation of El-Rufai’s rights and demanded full compliance with constitutional protections and court orders.
Nasir El-Rufai has remained in ICPC custody since February 19 over allegations of financial impropriety linked to his tenure as Kaduna State governor between 2015 and 2023.