The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested Professor Bello Abubakar, the personal physician to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, over allegations of making false statements in connection with the ex-governor’s court-approved hospital visit.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Commission’s spokesperson, Okor Odey, said El-Rufai was escorted to the private wing of the National Hospital, Abuja, on July 7 for a medical consultation under security arrangements authorised by the court.
According to the ICPC, its medical and security personnel conducted themselves professionally throughout the visit, remaining outside the consultation room to respect the former governor’s privacy while he was examined by an oncologist.
However, the anti-corruption agency alleged that the hospital visit was used for activities beyond the medical purpose approved by the court.
The Commission said photographs shared on Facebook by the Kaduna State African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, Isa Ashiru Kudan, showed El-Rufai meeting with Professor Abubakar and three other individuals during the period designated for his medical consultation.
“The images and accompanying post indicate that the approved medical visit was utilised for activities outside the scope contemplated by both the court and the ICPC. This constitutes a clear violation of the court order,” the statement read.
The ICPC further alleged that the professional courtesies extended to the former governor had been repeatedly abused.
Professor Abubakar was subsequently arrested for allegedly making false statements and is currently in ICPC custody as investigations continue.
The arrest comes days after the Kaduna High Court dismissed El-Rufai’s third application for bail in his ongoing trial on a nine-count charge brought against him by the ICPC.
In his ruling, Justice Darius Khobo held that the medical report presented by the former governor could not support his bail application because the National Hospital, Abuja, had disowned the document.
Despite denying the bail request, the court directed the ICPC to grant El-Rufai unrestricted access to his personal doctors and allow him to receive treatment or undergo diagnostic procedures at any specialised medical facility of his choice within Nigeria while his trial continues.
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