The wives of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in what they described as their family’s “ordeal,” urging him to ensure fair treatment for the former governor amid his ongoing legal troubles.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, Asiya El-Rufai, one of the former governor’s wives, made the appeal on behalf of the family following the arrest of El-Rufai’s personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Addressing President Tinubu directly, Asiya recalled the support she said her husband gave to Tinubu’s 2023 presidential campaign and pleaded for what she described as justice and compassion.
“Please free our husband. We campaigned for you,” she said, adding that the family had been traumatised by recent developments surrounding El-Rufai’s detention and prosecution. She also alleged that the former governor had been diagnosed with high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar levels and should be allowed access to appropriate medical care.
The appeal came shortly after the ICPC confirmed the arrest of Professor Bello Abubakar. According to the commission, the physician was arrested over alleged false statements made in connection with a court-approved medical visit granted to El-Rufai while in the agency’s custody. The anti-graft agency also accused the former governor of violating the conditions attached to the hospital visit by engaging in activities outside the scope approved by the court.
In a statement, the ICPC said it had facilitated El-Rufai’s medical visit in compliance with a Kaduna State High Court order and its obligation to safeguard the welfare of persons in custody. However, it maintained that the court-approved visit was allegedly used for purposes unrelated to medical treatment and said it would bring the development to the attention of the court.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Presidency nor President Tinubu had publicly responded to the family’s appeal. Likewise, there has been no official indication that the legal proceedings against El-Rufai will be halted or altered following the request.
The case continues to attract national attention, with supporters calling for due process and critics insisting that the judicial process should proceed without political interference
