El-Rufai’s doctor, Professor Bello Abubakar, arrested as ICPC alleges court-approved medical visit was abused
By Ishaya Ibrahim
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested Professor Bello Abubakar, personal physician to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, alleging that a court-sanctioned medical visit was exploited for purposes beyond its approved scope, in violation of a standing court order.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the anti-graft agency detailed a chain of events surrounding El-Rufai’s absence from his ongoing corruption trial. The Kaduna State High Court had scheduled an accelerated hearing for July 6, 7, and 8, 2026, but El-Rufai, who remains in ICPC custody, failed to appear on the first day.
According to the prosecution, when Commission officers arrived to convey El-Rufai to court, he declined to go, saying he wanted to see his personal doctor. The prosecution said no prior request for such a consultation had been made to the Commission, and that when the Commission’s own medical doctor asked El-Rufai about his condition, he reportedly said he had no immediate complaints, but that his wife, Asia El-Rufai — who is also one of his lawyers — had asked that he see his personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar.
Following arguments from counsel, the court adjourned proceedings to July 15, 2026, to hear El-Rufai’s application for the trial judge’s recusal, and to await a directive from the Chief Judge of Kaduna State on a pending petition to transfer the case.
Despite the unresolved court matters, the ICPC said it facilitated El-Rufai’s request for medical attention under appropriate security arrangements, in line with its obligation to respect the rights and welfare of persons in its custody.
The visit took place on Tuesday at the private wing of the National Hospital, Abuja. The Commission said its medical and security personnel conducted themselves professionally and respected El-Rufai’s privacy, stepping outside the consultation room at the family’s request while the attending oncologist reportedly examined him.
However, the ICPC said it was later confronted with photographs posted on Facebook at 2:00pm by political associate Isa Ashiru Kudan, who stated that he had just concluded a meeting with El-Rufai. The photos reportedly showed Professor Abubakar, Kudan, and three others alongside El-Rufai at the same time he was supposedly undergoing a medical consultation.
The Commission described the images as evidence that the medical visit had been used for purposes outside what the court and the ICPC had authorised, calling it “a clear violation of the court order.”
The ICPC said it had been patient and professional in its handling of El-Rufai and other defendants in its custody, but warned that such courtesies had now been abused and would no longer be tolerated. The Commission said it would formally bring the alleged disobedience of the court order to the attention of the judiciary.
“The professional and humane nature of the ICPC should not be taken for granted,” the statement read.
Professor Abubakar has since been arrested and taken into custody for allegedly making false statements, and remains there for further investigation, according to the Commission.
