El-Rufai’s Doctor Arrested As ICPC Alleges Abuse Of Medical Visit

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has arrested Professor Bello Abubakar, the personal doctor of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai.

The arrest followed a court-approved hospital visit by El-Rufai, which the ICPC now says was used for purposes outside medical treatment.

Daily Post reported that ICPC spokesperson John Odey said Abubakar was arrested on Tuesday after what the commission described as abuse of privilege and violation of a court order. Vanguard reported that the commission plans to draw the court’s attention to the alleged breach.

According to Vanguard, the ICPC said Abubakar was arrested for allegedly making false statements after the hospital visit. The agency said the Kaduna State High Court had allowed El-Rufai to seek medical attention while in custody.

The African Democratic Congress criticised the ICPC over the arrest. Punch reported that the party accused the anti-graft agency of denying El-Rufai proper medical access and alleged that his wife was assaulted during the hospital visit.

The ICPC allegation and the ADC response have opened a fresh dispute around El-Rufai’s ongoing case and the conditions attached to his medical movement while in custody.

Sources: Daily Post, Vanguard, Punch