Fresh controversy has emerged over the detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as his media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of denying him access to urgently needed medical treatment while in custody.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Adekeye alleged that El-Rufai’s health condition, particularly an eye ailment that has reportedly worsened in recent days, is being neglected by officials of the anti-corruption agency. According to him, the former governor complained of severe irritation, redness, swelling, and persistent itching in both eyes and repeatedly requested medical attention, but his appeals were allegedly ignored.
Adekeye disclosed that although El-Rufai was taken to an eye clinic on June 4 for examination, his condition reportedly deteriorated overnight, causing significant discomfort and raising concerns among family members who visited him in detention. He claimed that two ICPC officials personally observed the worsening condition but failed to arrange further treatment or facilitate another hospital visit.
The aide further accused an official identified as Henry, said to be on secondment to the commission from another agency, of misleading El-Rufai’s family by allegedly claiming that the former governor did not wish to see a doctor. Adekeye described the statement as false, insensitive, and contrary to El-Rufai’s repeated requests for medical care.
According to the statement, El-Rufai’s legal team had previously secured a court order authorising him access to his doctors and necessary medical treatment while in custody.
However, Adekeye alleged that the ICPC has continued to disregard the court directive, arguing that no government institution has the authority to deny detainees access to healthcare or violate their fundamental rights.
The latest allegations add to earlier complaints raised by El-Rufai’s family in May. At the time, relatives accused the commission of preventing his personal physician from meeting with him despite the doctor visiting the ICPC headquarters to discuss medical test results.
The family maintained that officials insisted on obtaining written approval from the commission’s chairman before any consultation could take place.
The family also alleged that El-Rufai’s wife, Aichatou, was denied access to deliver his evening meal after arriving at the commission’s premises around 7 p.m. Officials reportedly informed her that food deliveries were not permitted after 6:30 p.m. due to internal regulations.
El-Rufai’s family has described the restrictions as a violation of both a valid court order and the former governor’s constitutional rights. They have called on the ICPC to respect due process, comply with judicial directives, and ensure that detainees under its custody receive adequate medical care and humane treatment.
The ICPC has previously denied similar allegations, maintaining that it operates within the law and respects the rights of all individuals in its custody. As of the time of this report, the commission has not issued a fresh response to the latest accusations made by El-Rufai’s aide.
The development is expected to intensify public scrutiny of the conditions under which high-profile detainees are held and the responsibility of law enforcement agencies to safeguard the health and welfare of persons in their custody.
