By Eunice Orike
The wife of former Kaduna State governor, Hajiya Asiya El-Rufai, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to ensure that her husband enjoys his constitutional rights while facing trial, insisting that he should be granted access to medical care, lawyers, family members and bail on reasonable terms.
Speaking with journalists at her Abuja residence, Asiya said the family was not asking the President to stop the prosecution of the former governor but to ensure that he receives fair treatment under the law.
She said her husband, who is reportedly battling high blood pressure and high blood sugar, has been denied proper medical attention while in detention.
She also expressed concern over the reported arrest of his personal physician, Bello Abubakar, which was confirmed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
In an emotional appeal, Asiya reminded President Tinubu of the support she and her husband gave him during the 2023 presidential election.
“Mr. President, I campaigned for you across Kaduna State. My husband stood firmly by your side. Is this what our family deserves?” she asked.
She pleaded with the President to show compassion, saying only he could help end the family’s suffering.
“The ball is in your court. We believe you are a father and you can empathise with what we are going through,” she said.
According to her, the family is not seeking special treatment or political interference but simply wants El-Rufai’s constitutional rights to be respected.
“We are not asking you to stop the trial, if he is guilty, let the court decide, if he is innocent, let the court also decide.
All we ask is that he should be granted bail on reasonable terms and allowed access to his doctors and lawyers,” she said.
Asiya said the continued detention of the former governor and restrictions on visits from relatives and medical personnel have left the family traumatised.
“We live every day in fear that we may wake up to hear bad news,” she said.
She also questioned the reported decision to deny Bello Abubakar access to her husband, saying officials claimed the order came from “above.”
“Who is the ‘above’ giving such an order?” she asked.
The family also alleged that El-Rufai has been denied regular access to his personal doctors and lawyers, making it difficult for him to prepare his defence.
They also raised concerns over a medical report allegedly issued by the National Hospital, Abuja, calling for an investigation into how it was produced.
Asiya maintained that the family only wants justice to take its proper course and urged the authorities to allow the courts to determine her husband’s guilt or innocence after a fair trial.
