El-Rufai's doctor arrested for 'false statements' during court-approved hospital visit

The ICPC has arrested Professor Bello Abubakar, the personal physician of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, over allegations of false statements made during a court-approved medical visit for the former governor. According to the commission's statement released yesterday, the Kaduna State High Court had scheduled July 6, 7, and 8 for accelerated hearing of criminal charges against El-Rufai, but he did not appear on the first day, claiming he needed to see his personal doctor.

The commission alleges that when its medical personnel asked El-Rufai about his condition, he reportedly said he had no immediate medical complaint but explained that his wife and lawyer, Asia El-Rufai, had requested the consultation. Despite this, the ICPC approved the medical visit and took him to the National Hospital in Abuja under security escort. However, they later discovered photographs on Facebook posted by one of his political associates, Isa Ashiru Kudan, showing El-Rufai in the company of Abubakar, Kudan, and three other individuals, suggesting the visit was used for activities beyond medical consultation.

This is the same former governor facing multiple criminal cases including abuse of office, fraud, money laundering, and procurement offences, including an N8.68 billion CCTV contract awarded to a company that allegedly lacked qualifications. The ICPC says it will bring this matter to the court's attention. When a man facing serious corruption charges uses a court-approved hospital visit to receive political associates, what exactly is the message we are sending to ordinary Nigerians who cannot even get basic healthcare?