ABUJA, Nigeria — A media aide to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, of denying him access to medical treatment while he is in custody.
Muyiwa Adekeye, the former governor’s media aide, alleged in a statement on Friday, June 5, 2026, that El-Rufai had complained of swollen, reddish and itchy eyes but was not provided medical attention despite repeated requests.
According to Adekeye, family members who visited El-Rufai in custody also raised concerns about the condition of his eyes and asked ICPC officials to arrange treatment.
Adekeye said two ICPC officials examined El-Rufai’s eyes, but no doctor was called and no hospital visit was arranged.
He alleged that an official identified as Henry later told a family member that El-Rufai did not want to see a doctor, a claim the aide described as false.
“Two ICPC officials checked and saw the condition of his eyes. This was expected step to prompt either a hospital check or that a doctor would be summoned to attend to him,” the statement said.
“However, no medical attention was arranged. Rather one Henry, believed to have been seconded to the ICPC from another agency, falsely informed a family member that El Rufai did not wish to see a doctor.”
Adekeye added that the official was challenged by a family member over the claim.
“Henry was vigorously challenged by a family member for this false, insensitive and absurd claim,” he said.
Aide Cites Court Order
Adekeye said El-Rufai had been taken to an eye clinic on Thursday, June 4, 2026, but that his condition worsened overnight.
“The wives who visited him today found him in great discomfort and were alarmed by the condition of his eyes,” he said.
The aide said El-Rufai’s lawyers had earlier obtained a court order permitting him access to his doctors and medical treatment because of persistent eye-related complaints during his detention.
“The ICPC persists in treating him as if he is without rights and is undeserving of a duty of care while in their custody,” Adekeye said.
He urged the anti-graft agency to obey the court order and ensure the former governor receives medical care.
“No agency of the government is allowed to be indifferent to the medical condition of a person in their custody,” he said.
“The ICPC must respect human rights of persons in its custody, obey court orders and allow them access to the medical treatment that they require.”
ICPC Yet to Respond
The ICPC had not issued a response to the latest allegation at the time of filing this report.
El-Rufai, a former governor of Kaduna State and former minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has been in ICPC custody amid an ongoing situation involving the anti-corruption agency.
The allegations come after earlier claims by his family and political associates that access to him had been restricted while in custody.
