Hajiya Asiya El-Rufai, wife of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure her husband is treated fairly as he faces trial, insisting that he deserves the constitutional rights guaranteed to every Nigerian.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday alongside El-Rufai's other wife, Aichatou, Asiya said the family was not asking the president to interfere with the judicial process or halt the prosecution, but to ensure the former governor has access to medical care, family members, lawyers and bail on reasonable terms.
"My husband doesn't deserve this persecution," she said, recalling El-Rufai's role in the events leading to the 2023 presidential election.
She added, "I am not asking you to tell them not to prosecute him, but we are asking you to allow him the basic human rights that the Constitution you swore to uphold and defend guarantees. Let them give him the bail that he can afford. If he is guilty, let the court decide; if he is innocent, let the court decide."
Asiya alleged that El-Rufai, who she said has been diagnosed with high blood pressure and high blood sugar, has been denied adequate medical attention while in custody.
She also described the emotional toll the detention has taken on the family.
"We live in constant fear that we will wake up and hear some bad news," she said.
Her remarks followed the arrest of El-Rufai's personal physician, Prof. Bello Abubakar, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Earlier on Tuesday, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) alleged that El-Rufai was denied proper medical care after he was taken to the National Hospital, Abuja, where doctors reportedly recommended that he be admitted. The party also claimed that a confrontation during the hospital visit led to the arrest of the physician.
Responding to the allegations, the ICPC said Prof. Abubakar was arrested for allegedly making false statements after El-Rufai's court-approved hospital visit.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, John Odey, the commission said El-Rufai was taken to the private wing of the National Hospital on July 7 for medical consultation but alleged that the visit was used for activities beyond what the court had authorised.
According to the commission, photographs posted on Facebook by Isa Ashiru Kudan, the ADC's governorship candidate in Kaduna State, showed El-Rufai meeting with several visitors, including Prof. Abubakar, during the hospital visit.
"This is a clear violation of the court order," the ICPC said, adding that the physician was taken into custody for further investigation.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State High Court has adjourned El-Rufai's trial until July 15, 2026, to allow the state's Chief Judge to determine an application seeking the transfer of the case to another judge.
El-Rufai is facing a nine-count amended charge bordering on alleged abuse of office, fraud, conferring undue advantage, irregular award and execution of public contracts, money laundering and unlawful handling of public funds during his time as governor of Kaduna State.
