ICPC accused of denying medical access to El-Rufai despite court order

Officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, have been accused of denying Mallam Nasir El-Rufai access to medical care while in custody, despite a court order and a worsening eye condition.

In a press statement released Friday, June 5, 2026, and signed by Muyiwa Adekeye, it was alleged that ICPC officials refused El-Rufai’s repeated requests to see a doctor after he complained of swollen, reddish, and itchy eyes.

According to the statement, El-Rufai’s family alerted operatives to his condition and his request for a hospital visit. Two ICPC officials reportedly inspected his eyes, which should have prompted a hospital check or for a doctor to be summoned.

However, no medical attention was arranged. Instead, a man identified as “Henry,” believed to have been seconded to the ICPC from another agency, allegedly told a family member that El-Rufai did not wish to see a doctor. The claim was “vigorously challenged” by a family member, who described it as false and insensitive. The statement added that this is not the first time ICPC officials have attributed statements to Mallam that he did not make.

The statement said El-Rufai was taken to an eye clinic on Thursday, June 4, but his condition worsened overnight, causing great discomfort and alarm for his wives who visited him on Friday.

His legal team had earlier obtained a court order to enable him access to his doctors and medical treatment while in custody. Despite the order, the statement accused the ICPC of “persisting in treating him as if he is without rights and is undeserving of a duty of care.”

“No agency of the government is allowed to be indifferent to the medical condition of a person in their custody. The ICPC must respect human rights of persons in its custody, obey court orders and allow them access to the medical treatment that they require,” the statement concluded.

The ICPC is yet to respond to the allegations. El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State, has been in ICPC custody in connection with ongoing investigations.