The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has detained the personal physician to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, Professor Bello Abubakar, over alleged false statements linked to a court-approved medical visit.
The anti-corruption agency said the physician was taken into custody after its preliminary investigation revealed that the hospital visit, approved to enable El-Rufai to receive medical attention, was allegedly used to facilitate a meeting with political associates.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the commission said the Kaduna State High Court had fixed July 6, 7 and 8 for the accelerated hearing of criminal charges against El-Rufai but the former governor failed to appear in court on the first day of trial.
According to the ICPC, its officers were prepared to convey El-Rufai to court, but he declined, insisting that he wanted to consult his personal physician.
The commission said the prosecution informed the court that no prior request had been made for such a medical consultation.
It added that when examined by the commission’s medical doctor, El-Rufai reportedly said he had no immediate medical complaints but explained that his wife, Asia El-Rufai, who is also a member of his legal team, requested that he see his personal physician, Professor Abubakar.
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 Chief Judge of Kaduna State on a pending petition for the transfer of the case.
The ICPC said it nevertheless complied with the court’s directive by facilitating the medical visit to the private wing of the National Hospital, Abuja, under appropriate security arrangements.
It said its medical and security personnel remained outside the consultation room at the request of El-Rufai’s family while the examination was being conducted.
However, the commission alleged that it later discovered photographs posted on Facebook by Isa Ashiru Kudan, a political associate of the former governor, showing that he and several others met with El-Rufai during the hospital visit.
According to the ICPC, the photographs showed Professor Abubakar, Isa Kudan and three other individuals with El-Rufai at a time he was expected to be undergoing medical consultation.
The commission alleged that the hospital visit was used for activities outside the purpose approved by the court, describing it as a violation of the court’s order.
“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.
It said Professor Abubakar was subsequently arrested for allegedly making false statements and had been taken into custody for further investigation.
The ICPC said it would draw the court’s attention to what it described as the defendant’s “flagrant disobedience” of its order.
The commission also maintained that while it would continue to respect the rights and dignity of persons in its custody, it would no longer tolerate what it described as the abuse of its professional courtesies.
It reaffirmed its commitment to operating within the confines of the law and pledged to continue its investigation into the matter.
