Taiwo POPOOLA
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has arrested Professor Bello Abubakar, the personal physician to former governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State.
In a statement by John Odey, the ICPC spokesperson, Abubakar was arrested on Tuesday after what the commission described as abuse of privilege by El-Rufai and the medical doctor and violation of court order.
The anti-graft agency’s spokesman revealed that based on the court’s directives, the commission facilitated the former governor’s request to receive medical attention and allowed him to visit the National Hospital in Abuja under security arrangements for him to meet with his personal physician.
The visit to the hospital was, however, turned into a meeting, which one of the former governor’s political associates, Isa Ashiri Kudan, posted photographs of on Facebook at about 2 pm yesterday.
According to Odey, this indicated that the visit was utilized for activities outside the scope contemplated by the court and the ICPC.
“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has expressed concern over developments surrounding a court-approved medical visit granted to former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, who is currently in the Commission’s custody.
“The Kaduna State High Court had fixed July 6, 7, and 8, 2026, for an accelerated hearing of the criminal charges pending against the defendant. On the first day of hearing, however, Mallam El-Rufai did not appear before the court.
“During proceedings, the prosecution informed the court that when officers of the Commission prepared to convey the defendant to court, he declined to accompany them, insisting that he wished to consult his personal doctor.
“The prosecution further informed the court that no prior request had been made to the Commission for such medical consultation and that, when asked by the Commission’s medical doctor, the defendant reportedly indicated that he had no immediate medical complaints but stated 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,” Odey said in the statement.
