Professor Bello Abubakar, the personal physician to former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has been arrested by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations of making false statements in connection with a court-approved medical visit involving the former governor.
According to the ICPC, El-Rufai, who is currently facing criminal proceedings, was granted permission to receive medical attention in line with a court directive. The commission said the medical visit was approved as part of its obligation to ensure the welfare and rights of persons in its custody.
The anti-graft agency alleged that instead of limiting the outing to a medical consultation, the opportunity was used for activities outside the scope of the court’s approval. It claimed that photographs circulating on social media showed El-Rufai meeting with several visitors during the period designated for the hospital visit, prompting concerns that the court-approved arrangement had been violated.
The commission further stated that its preliminary investigation led to the arrest of Professor Abubakar, whom it accused of making false statements relating to the circumstances surrounding the medical visit. The ICPC said the physician is being questioned as investigations continue and maintained that it would present its findings before the court.
The agency also indicated that it intends to inform the court of what it described as a breach of the conditions attached to the medical visit. It stressed that while it remains committed to respecting the legal rights and welfare of suspects in its custody, it would not tolerate any action it believes undermines judicial orders or the integrity of its processes.
The arrest has generated public attention, with supporters of El-Rufai questioning the commission’s actions, while the ICPC insists that its investigation is guided by the law and that due process will be followed as the matter progresses.