El-Rufai, ICPC Face Off as Peter Obi Demands Fair Trial and Due Process
Presidential candidate Peter Obi has called for fair treatment of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, emphasizing justice and the rule of law. El-Rufai, in turn, has strongly refuted allegations by the ICPC of abusing medical privileges and violating court orders, providing a detailed account of his medical circumstances and challenging the Commission's claims.
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has pushed back against allegations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)that he abused court-approved medical privileges and violated a court order, as Peter Obi called for fairness and due process in the case.
Reacting to a viral video of El-Rufai’s wife, Hajiya Asiya El-Rufai, Obi stressed that justice must be transparent, impartial, and rooted in the rule of law, warning against selective prosecution and urging law enforcement agencies to uphold constitutional rights. He maintained that reasonable bail conditions and fair treatment are essential to preserving public trust in the justice system.
El-Rufai, through his media adviser Muyiwa Adekeye, described the ICPC’s allegations as false and demanded an immediate retraction. He insisted his absence from court was due to unresolved medical issues that had been communicated to the Commission beforehand, adding that his physician, Prof. Bello Abubakar, was initially denied access to examine him.
According to his team, the ICPC later facilitated his transfer to the National Hospital, Abuja, where he received treatment in line with an existing court order. El-Rufai also rejected claims that he turned the hospital visit into a political gathering, arguing that supporters who greeted him did so coincidentally while he awaited his medical report.
His legal team further maintained that access to healthcare and consultation with a doctor of his choice are protected rights under the Nelson Mandela Rules, not special privileges. They warned that any attempt to restrict his medical treatment, legal representation, or family access would amount to contempt of court, while also demanding the immediate release of Prof. Abubakar, who was arrested by the ICPC over alleged false statements.
The anti-graft agency, however, has maintained that it will present El-Rufai’s alleged breach of court orders before the court as the matter continues.