El-Rufai says ICPC denying him care for worsening eye condition in custody

Nasir El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State, has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of failing to provide him with adequate medical attention despite complaints of a worsening eye condition while in custody.

The allegation was made by Muyiwa Adekeye, his (El-Rufai) media aide, in a statement issued on Friday, in which he claimed that the anti-graft agency ignored repeated requests for medical care after El-Rufai developed swollen, reddish, and itchy eyes.

According to the statement, the former governor had informed ICPC officials about the condition and requested to see a doctor. 

Read also: El-Rufai’s wife slams ICPC with N2bn defamation suit

It also said family members who visited El-Rufai in custody also raised concerns about his deteriorating health and appealed to officials to facilitate medical treatment.

El-Rufai stated that two ICPC officials reportedly examined his eyes after the complaints were made but failed to arrange further medical intervention.

He further alleged that an official identified as Henry, said to have been seconded to the commission from another government agency, informed a member of El-Rufai’s family that the former governor had declined medical treatment.

“Two ICPC officials checked and saw the condition of his eyes. This was expected step to prompt either a hospital check or that a doctor would be summoned to attend to him.

“However, no medical attention was arranged. Rather one Henry, believed to have been seconded to the ICPC from another agency, falsely informed a family member that El-Rufai did not wish to see a doctor.

“Henry was vigorously challenged by a family member for this false, insensitive and absurd claim”, the statement said.

The statement disclosed that El-Rufai had been taken to an eye clinic on June 4, but said his condition worsened overnight. 

It added that family members, including the former governor’s wives, were alarmed by the state of his eyes during a visit on Friday.

“The wives who visited him today found him in great discomfort and were alarmed by the condition of his eyes,” the statement added.

It also revealed that El-Rufai’s legal team had previously secured a court order granting him access to his doctors and necessary medical treatment due to recurring eye-related health concerns while in detention.

El-Rufai accused the ICPC of disregarding both the court order and its duty of care toward individuals in its custody.

“The ICPC persists in treating him as if he is without rights and is undeserving of a duty of care while in their custody,” the statement added.

Read also: I hope he doesn’t die, government can’t manage the consequences, Amaechi on El-Rufai

Calling on the anti-corruption agency to comply with the court directive, El-Rufai stressed that detainees retain their fundamental rights, including access to healthcare.

“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”, he said.