The family of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of denying him access to medical care and restricting food deliveries while he remains in custody.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the family said El-Rufai was still being held by the anti-graft agency despite a court order granting him unrestricted access to his doctors.
According to the statement, El-Rufai’s personal physician visited the ICPC headquarters around 3 p.m. on May 15 to discuss the results of recent medical tests. The family alleged that officials prevented the doctor from meeting him, insisting that approval from the ICPC chairman was required before access could be granted.
The family described the action as a violation of the court order and an infringement on his constitutional rights.
They also alleged that El-Rufai’s wife, Aichatou El-Rufai, was denied entry when she arrived later in the evening with his meal.
According to the statement, ICPC officials told her that food deliveries were not allowed after 6:30 p.m., citing internal directives.
The family criticised the restrictions, arguing that detention does not justify limiting access to medical care or preventing family members from providing basic support.
“We will no longer accept this pattern of intimidation dressed up as protocol. The ICPC must abide by the very laws it claims to enforce,” the statement said.
The family added that efforts were ongoing to ensure El-Rufai received his meal.
The development comes hours after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar called for El-Rufai’s release.
