ICPC arrests el-Rufai’s doctor over alleged false statements

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested Professor Bello Abubakar, personal physician to former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, over alleged false statements following a recent hospital visit.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, ICPC spokesperson, Okor Odey, alleged that el-Rufai and his physician abused privileges and violated a court order governing the medical consultation.

Odey said the commission facilitated el-Rufai’s request for medical attention “under appropriate security arrangements”.

“During the hospital visit on Tuesday, 7th July, 2026, at the private wing of the National Hospital, FCT, officers of the Commission’s medical and security team conducted themselves professionally and respected the defendant’s privacy,” Odey said.

“At the request of members of his family, the officers remained outside the consultation room while the attending oncologist was purportedly examining him.”

According to the ICPC, the situation took a different turn later that day when Isa Ashiru Kudan, governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State, shared photographs from the visit on social media.

“The picture posted on Facebook also had Professor Abubakar, Isa Kudan, and three others with El Rufai at a time he was supposedly having a medical consultation,” the ICPC spokesperson said.

“The images and post by Isa Kudan indicated that the arranged medical visit was utilised for activities outside the scope contemplated by the court and the ICPC. This is a clear violation of the court order!”

Odey added that the commission’s “professional courtesies” extended to el-Rufai had been repeatedly abused.

“Professor Bello Abubakar has been arrested for making false statements. At this moment, Professor Bello Abubakar, El Rufai’s personal physician, has been taken into custody for further investigation,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State High Court had, on July 2, dismissed a bail application filed by el-Rufai in the ongoing trial involving a nine-count charge brought against him by the ICPC.

The presiding judge, Darius Khobo, rejected the third bail application, ruling that the medical report presented by el-Rufai — which was disowned by the issuing agency, the National Hospital, Abuja — could not serve as a basis for the reliefs sought.

The court, however, directed the ICPC to grant el-Rufai unrestricted access to his personal physicians, with permission for him to be taken to any specialised diagnostic or clinical facility of his choice within Nigeria during the course of the trial.