By Godwin Ogar
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested Professor Bello Abubakar, the personal physician of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, over alleged false statements made in connection with a court-approved medical visit.
The anti-corruption agency announced the arrest in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson and Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, alleging that Professor Abubakar abused the privilege granted to El-Rufai to receive medical attention while in the Commission’s custody.
According to the ICPC, El-Rufai, who is facing criminal charges before the Kaduna State High Court, failed to appear in court on the first day of the accelerated hearing fixed for July 6, 2026.
The Commission said its officers had prepared to convey the former governor to court, but he declined, insisting that he wanted to consult his personal physician. The prosecution subsequently informed the court that no prior request had been made to the Commission for such a consultation.
It added that when questioned by the Commission’s medical doctor, El-Rufai reportedly said he had no immediate medical complaints, explaining that the visit was at the request of his wife, Asia El-Rufai, who is also one of his legal counsels.
Following arguments by counsel, the Kaduna State High Court adjourned the matter until July 15, 2026, to hear El-Rufai’s application seeking the trial judge’s recusal and to await the directive of the state’s Chief Judge on a pending petition for the transfer of the case.
Despite the court adjournment, the ICPC said it approved the medical visit in compliance with the court’s directives and its obligation to safeguard the rights, dignity and welfare of persons in its custody.
The Commission stated that during the hospital visit at the private wing of the National Hospital, Abuja, its medical and security personnel remained outside the consultation room at the request of El-Rufai’s family while Professor Abubakar, described as the attending oncologist, examined him.
However, the ICPC alleged that the medical visit was used for purposes beyond those approved after photographs surfaced on Facebook showing El-Rufai with Professor Abubakar, politician Isa Ashiru Kudan and three other individuals during the supposed medical consultation.
According to the Commission, the images, posted by Isa Ashiru Kudan around 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, suggested that the hospital visit had been used to hold a meeting, describing the development as a clear violation of the court order under which the visit was approved.
“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 further disclosed that Professor Abubakar had been taken into custody for allegedly making false statements and would be subjected to further investigation.
It also said it would draw the court’s attention to what it described as the defendant’s “flagrant disobedience” of the court’s directives.
While stressing that it had treated El-Rufai and other suspects in its custody professionally and humanely, the Commission warned that it would no longer tolerate any abuse of its goodwill.
The anti-graft agency reaffirmed its commitment to operating within the law, stating that it would continue to respect the rights of persons in custody while taking appropriate action against any attempt to undermine judicial processes.
