ADC lists six demands to Tinubu govt, says El-Rufai denied medical care

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged that Nasir El-Rufai, former Kaduna State governor, was denied access to medical treatment by officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), describing the development as a dangerous assault on constitutional democracy.

In a statement on Tuesday signed by Bolaji Abdullahi, its National Publicity Secretary, the opposition party claimed that El-Rufai, who was scheduled to receive treatment at the National Hospital, Abuja, was returned to custody despite medical advice that he required hospitalisation due to his deteriorating health.

The party also alleged that El-Rufai’s personal physician was arrested while his wife was assaulted during a confrontation with ICPC officials after they protested the decision to take him back into custody.

According to the ADC, the actions of the anti-corruption agency amount to political persecution rather than lawful enforcement, accusing the President Bola Tinubu administration of using state institutions to target political opponents.

“The world should know today that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is holding a political prisoner in Nigeria by the name of Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai,” the statement read.

Read also: El-Rufai’s wife appeals to Tinubu over ‘dehumanising’ detention

The ADC further alleged that denying El-Rufai access to medical care, family members and legal representatives violated constitutional provisions as well as court orders granting him unrestricted access to his lawyers, physician and relatives.

It warned that the development raised concerns about Nigeria’s democratic credentials, arguing that the country was drifting towards authoritarian rule.

The party called on the ICPC to explain the legal basis for denying El-Rufai access to his family and doctor and for the alleged assault on his wife and arrest of his physician.

To address the situation, the ADC made six demands. It called for immediate and unrestricted access for El-Rufai to his wife, children, lawyers and personal medical practitioners; and urgent review of what it described as punitive bail conditions.

The party also demanded an end to the “harsh and restrictive conditions of his detention” and his release from what it termed political persecution; full compliance with constitutional and international standards governing the treatment of detainees; complete transparency from the ICPC on all restrictions imposed on him; and an end to the use of state institutions for political intimidation, vendetta and selective justice.