The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of violating the fundamental rights of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, alleging that operatives denied him access to medical care, arrested his personal physician and assaulted his wife during a hospital visit in Abuja.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party described the alleged actions as a grave abuse of constitutional rights and called on the Federal Government to end what it termed the political persecution of the former governor.
According to the ADC, El-Rufai was scheduled for medical treatment at the National Hospital, Abuja, where doctors reportedly recommended his admission due to deteriorating health. The party alleged, however, that ICPC officials overruled the hospital’s recommendation and returned him to custody.
The party further claimed that protests by El-Rufai’s wife and personal physician over the decision resulted in a confrontation during which his wife was physically assaulted and his doctor arrested by ICPC operatives.
The ADC argued that the actions of the anti-corruption agency had gone beyond legitimate law enforcement, describing them as an attack on the Nigerian Constitution, human dignity and the rule of law.
The party also alleged that El-Rufai had effectively become a political prisoner, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s administration of using state institutions to target political opponents rather than uphold justice.
It maintained that denying a detainee access to medical treatment, family members and legal representatives was inconsistent with democratic principles and contrary to existing court orders, which it claimed granted El-Rufai unrestricted access to his lawyers, physician and relatives.
The opposition party warned that the case transcends the former governor, saying it raises broader concerns about constitutional governance, the independence of law enforcement agencies and the protection of civil liberties in Nigeria.
The ADC demanded that the ICPC publicly explain the legal basis for the restrictions placed on El-Rufai, including the alleged denial of access to his family and physician, as well as the reported arrest of his doctor and assault on his wife.
The party also called for immediate and unrestricted access for El-Rufai to his family, legal team and personal medical practitioners, a review of what it described as punitive bail conditions, an end to his alleged harsh detention conditions, full compliance with constitutional and international standards for the treatment of detainees, and greater transparency from the ICPC regarding its actions.
In addition, the ADC urged the Federal Government to end what it described as the use of anti-corruption agencies as instruments of political intimidation, vendetta and selective justice.
The ICPC had not issued an official response to the allegations at the time of filing this report.
