ICPC refutes allegations of denying El-Rufai access to food, medication, family

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has denied claims that it refused the family of Nasir El-Rufai access to the former Governor of Kaduna State.

The anti-graft agency was alleged to have denied the former governor access to food and medical care while he was in custody, according to allegations raised 

Mohammed Bello, the son of the detained El-Rufai.

Bello made this claim in a statement on his social media account, asserting that the anti-graft agency acted in violation of a court order that permitted the former governor to have access to his physician and family members.

The lawmaker indicated that two separate incidents on May 15, 2026, raised alarms regarding what he termed violations of his father’s constitutional rights during his detention.

“On this day, May 15, 2026, we observed two distinct yet equally grave infringements on his fundamental rights,” Bello remarked.

He alleged that El-Rufai’s personal doctor arrived at the ICPC facility at approximately 3 p.m. to discuss the results of recent medical examinations conducted on the former governor, but was denied entry by the commission’s officials.

Bello contended that the officers insisted that permission from the agency’s chairman was necessary before the doctor could meet with the detainee, despite a court order that allowed unrestricted access to his medical team.

Furthermore, the federal lawmaker alleged that El-Rufai’s wife, Aichatou, was barred from delivering his evening meal at around 7 p.m., even though she had reportedly been providing food for him since the onset of his detention.

The ICPC expressed its desire to rectify what it termed misleading narratives that have been circulating, affirming that it operates within the parameters of Nigerian law and adheres to international best practices.

The statement added, “Central to this is a humane and orderly Access Control Protocol that governs entry to its premises, which is respected by all visitors to the Commission.

“The Commission notes the wide circulation of a video interview since 10:00 pm on Friday, 15 May, 2026.

“The facts of the matter: The ICPC’s Access Control Protocol, which permits visitor access between 9:00 am and 6:30 pm, has been in existence long before the current Chairman assumed office. It is a standing institutional policy that applies to all persons in custody.

“The families of all defendants and suspects in ICPC custody, including the family in question, were duly informed of this protocol and have, until this incident, been in compliance.

“On the Friday in question, one of the defendant’s wives and a housemaid were permitted to bring food to the defendant on no fewer than three occasions between 10:30 am and 5:30 pm. This is documented in the visitor register, which records the names of family members and the purpose of each visit, and is available for independent verification.

“Authorised visitors, including family members, legal counsel, and medical personnel are permitted to visit, deliver food, and consult with persons in custody. However, entry is strictly not permitted after 6:30 pm.

“The woman in the video herself acknowledged that she arrived at 7:00 pm, thirty minutes after the close of the official access window. It is also on record that she has on prior occasions exceeded her permitted visiting duration.

“Furthermore, the woman herself admitted in the same video that she had delivered both breakfast and lunch to her husband earlier that day, thereby contradicting the allegation that the ICPC denied him access to food.

“It is important to note that the defendant in question is Malam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, a high-profile, politically exposed person who has previously served as Director General of a federal agency, a Minister and Member of the Federal Executive Council, and a State Governor. In light of his profile, the ICPC is required to uphold stringent security protocols for his safety, as well as for the safety of all individuals under its care.

“Concerning the claim that medical staff were refused entry, the ICPC would like to clarify that it merely requested appropriate identification from the aforementioned personnel and verification from the defendant prior to allowing supervised access — a routine security measure. It is important to note that in the week leading up to this event, Malam el-Rufai had sought, and was granted, permission to visit both his dentist and ophthalmologist on two distinct occasions.

“The Commission accompanied him during both appointments. This is in addition to the consistent access he has to the Commission’s internal medical staff and facilities upon request.

“The ICPC expresses concern that the visit in question took place alongside media representatives, arriving outside the designated access timeframe.”

The Commission stated that it will not engage in dramatized accounts, which it believes are intended to bypass lawful institutional protocols.

It emphasized that it remains committed to its responsibilities and will not compromise its security measures under any circumstances.

ICPC refutes allegations of denying El-Rufai access to food, medication, family