ICPC arrests El-Rufai’s doctor over alleged false statements, court order breach

ICPC arrests El-Rufai’s doctor over alleged false statements, court order breach

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested Professor Bello Abubakar, the personal physician to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, over allegations of making false statements and facilitating what the anti-graft agency described as a violation of a court-approved medical visit.

The Commission disclosed that Professor Abubakar was taken into custody on Tuesday following a visit to the National Hospital, Abuja, which it said was approved solely for El-Rufai to receive medical attention while in ICPC custody.

According to a statement issued by the Commission’s spokesperson, John Odey, the ICPC granted El-Rufai’s request for medical consultation in compliance with an order of the Kaduna State High Court and in line with its statutory obligation to protect the rights, dignity and welfare of persons in its custody.

The anti-graft agency explained that the Kaduna State High Court had fixed July 6, 7 and 8, 2026, for the accelerated hearing of criminal charges pending against the former governor.

However, on the first day of hearing, El-Rufai did not appear in court. According to the prosecution, when ICPC officers arrived to escort him to the courtroom, he declined to leave, insisting that he wanted to consult his personal physician.

The Commission further claimed that no prior request had been made for the medical consultation. It also alleged that when questioned by the Commission’s medical doctor, El-Rufai reportedly said he had no immediate medical complaints but stated that his wife, Asia El-Rufai, who is also one of his legal counsel, requested that he see Professor Abubakar.

Following arguments by both parties, the court adjourned further proceedings until July 15, 2026, 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 pending petition requesting that the case be transferred to another judge.

Despite the adjournment, the ICPC said it facilitated the former governor’s visit to the private wing of the National Hospital under strict security arrangements.

According to the Commission, its medical and security personnel remained outside the consultation room at the request of El-Rufai’s family while he was purportedly being examined by his attending physician.

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However, the anti-graft agency said the visit took an unexpected turn after photographs allegedly showing El-Rufai meeting with political associates surfaced on social media.

The ICPC said one of El-Rufai’s political associates, Isa Ashiru Kudan, posted photographs on Facebook at about 2:00 p.m., claiming they had just concluded a meeting with the former governor.

According to the Commission, the photographs showed El-Rufai alongside Professor Abubakar, Isa Ashiru Kudan and three other individuals inside the hospital at a time when the visit was expected to be strictly for medical consultation.

The Commission alleged that the meeting exceeded the scope of the court-approved hospital visit and constituted a violation of the court’s order.

“The images and post 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 statement said.

The ICPC further stated that it had exercised patience, professionalism and courtesy in handling El-Rufai and other suspects in its custody but alleged that such courtesies had been abused.

It added that it would formally draw what it described as El-Rufai’s “flagrant disobedience of court orders” to the attention of the court.

The Commission also announced the arrest of Professor Abubakar, alleging that he made false statements during the course of the hospital visit. It said the physician remains in custody while investigations continue.

“The professional and humane nature of the ICPC should not be taken for granted,” the Commission said, adding that it would not tolerate the abuse of its goodwill by any individual or group.

The latest development marks another twist in the ongoing legal proceedings involving the former Kaduna governor. As of the time of filing this report, Nasir El-Rufai, Professor Bello Abubakar, and their legal representatives had not publicly responded to the allegations made by the ICPC.

It remains unclear whether the Commission will file additional charges arising from the alleged breach of the court-approved medical visit. The case is expected to return to the Kaduna State High Court on July 15, when the court will consider the pending applications and determine the next stage of the trial.

ICPC arrests El-Rufai’s doctor over alleged false statements, court order breach