ICPC Arrests El-Rufai’s Personal Physician, Prof. Bello Abubakar, Accuses Ex-Kaduna Governor Of Abusing Court-Approved Medical Visit, Violating Court Order

Kaduna State- The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has accused former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, of abusing the privilege granted to him by a court to receive medical attention while in custody, alleging that the visit was used for purposes outside the scope of the court’s approval.

The anti-corruption agency also announced the arrest of El-Rufai’s personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar, over alleged false statements made during the incident.

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

According to the ICPC, the Kaduna State High Court had fixed July 6, 7, and 8, 2026, for an accelerated hearing of the criminal charges pending against El-Rufai.

However, on the first day of the hearing, the former governor failed to appear before the court.

The Commission said the prosecution informed the court that when its officers prepared to transport El-Rufai from custody to the courtroom, he declined to accompany them, insisting that he wanted to consult his personal physician instead.

According to the statement, no prior request for such a medical consultation had been made to the Commission.

The ICPC further stated that when its own medical doctor asked El-Rufai about his health, the former governor reportedly said he had no immediate medical complaints but explained that his wife, Asia El-Rufai—who is also one of his legal counsel—had requested that he see his personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar.

Following submissions by both parties, the Kaduna State High Court adjourned proceedings until July 15, 2026, to hear El-Rufai’s application seeking the recusal of the trial judge and to await the directive of the Honourable Chief Judge of Kaduna State on a pending petition seeking the transfer of the case.

The Commission said that despite the circumstances, it complied fully with the court’s directive and facilitated El-Rufai’s request for medical attention, stressing that it acted in line with its statutory obligation to respect the rights, dignity and welfare of persons in its custody.

According to the statement, the medical visit took place on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at the private wing of the National Hospital in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The ICPC said its medical and security personnel conducted themselves professionally throughout the visit and respected El-Rufai’s privacy.

It added that at the request of members of El-Rufai’s family, its officers remained outside the consultation room while Professor Bello Abubakar, described as the attending oncologist, was purportedly examining the former governor.

However, the Commission said it later discovered that the court-approved medical visit had allegedly been used for activities unrelated to medical treatment.

According to the ICPC, at about 2:00 p.m. Nigerian time, one of El-Rufai’s political associates, Isa Ashiru Kudan, posted photographs on Facebook announcing that they had “just concluded a meeting” with the former governor.

The Commission said the photographs showed El-Rufai alongside Professor Bello Abubakar, Isa Ashiru Kudan and three other individuals inside the facility at a time the former governor was supposedly undergoing a medical consultation.

“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 ICPC said it had exercised patience, professionalism and courtesy in handling El-Rufai and other suspects and defendants in its custody but maintained that those courtesies had now been abused.

“The ICPC has been very patient, professional, and courteous in managing Mallam El-Rufai and other suspects and defendants in its custody. However, it has become very clear that these professional courtesies have been abused and will therefore no longer be tolerated,” ICPC said.

The Commission further stated that it would formally bring the alleged violation of the court order to the attention of the court.

“The ICPC will bring to the attention of the Courts the flagrant disobedience of court orders by the defendant,” it added.

The agency also warned that “the professional and humane nature of the ICPC should not be taken for granted.”

The Commission confirmed that Professor Bello Abubakar has been arrested over alleged false statements made in relation to the incident.

“At this moment, Professor Bello Abubakar, El-Rufai’s personal physician, has been taken into custody for further investigation,” the agency said.

Reaffirming its commitment to due process, the Commission stated that it would continue to operate strictly within the ambit of the law.

“The ICPC reiterates its resolve to continue to operate within the ambit of the law at all times.

“The Commission also wants to make it categorically clear that it will not tolerate, under any guise, the abuse of its goodwill by anybody or group of persons,” ICPC added.