ICPC Arrests El-Rufai’s Doctor Over Alleged Court Order Violation

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested Professor Bello Abubakar, the personal physician of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged false statements and the alleged abuse of a court-approved medical visit granted to the former governor.

The commission, in a statement signed on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Okor Odey, alleged that the medical visit was used for activities outside the scope of the court’s approval, describing the development as a violation of a subsisting court order.

According to the ICPC, the Kaduna State High Court had fixed July 6, 7 and 8, 2026, for the accelerated hearing of criminal charges against El-Rufai, who is in the commission’s custody.

It said the former governor failed to appear in court on the first day of hearing after declining to accompany its officers, insisting that he wanted to consult his personal doctor.

The commission stated that its prosecuting counsel informed the court that no prior request had been made for such a medical consultation.

It further claimed that when questioned by the commission’s medical doctor, El-Rufai reportedly said he had no immediate medical complaints but wished to see his physician at the request of his wife, Asia El-Rufai, who is also one of his lawyers.

The ICPC said the court subsequently adjourned proceedings until July 15 to hear El-Rufai’s application seeking the trial judge’s recusal and to await the decision of the Kaduna State Chief Judge on a petition for the transfer of the case.

Despite the adjournment, the commission said it approved the medical visit in compliance with the court’s directive and its obligation to respect the rights and welfare of persons in custody.

According to the statement, officers of the commission escorted El-Rufai to the private wing of the National Hospital in Abuja on Tuesday, where they remained outside the consultation room at the request of members of his family while Professor Abubakar attended to him.

The commission, however, alleged that photographs later posted on Facebook by one of El-Rufai’s political associates, Isa Ashiru Kudan, showed that the visit had gone beyond a medical consultation.

It said the photographs, posted around 2 p.m., showed Kudan, Professor Abubakar and three other persons posing with El-Rufai after what was described as a meeting.

“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 said.

The anti-graft agency said it would draw the court’s attention to what it described as the defendant’s “flagrant disobedience” of the court’s directive.

It added that while it had treated El-Rufai and other suspects in its custody with professionalism and respect, such courtesies should not be abused.

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

The commission disclosed that Professor Bello Abubakar had been arrested for allegedly making false statements and had been taken into custody for further investigation.

It reiterated its commitment to operating within the law while warning that it would not tolerate the abuse of its goodwill by any individual or group.