The family of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of violating his constitutional rights by allegedly denying him access to medical care and restricting food deliveries while in custody.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the family said Mallam El-Rufai remained in the custody of the anti-graft agency despite an existing court order granting him unrestricted access to his doctors.

According to the statement, El-Rufai’s personal doctor visited the ICPC headquarters around 3 p.m. on May 15 to discuss the outcome of recent medical tests conducted on the former governor.

However, officials of the commission allegedly prevented the doctor from seeing him, insisting that written approval from the ICPC chairman was required.

The family described the action as a direct violation of the court order and an attack on his fundamental rights.

The statement further alleged that El-Rufai’s wife, Aichatou, was also turned away when she arrived at about 7 p.m. with his evening meal.

According to the family, ICPC personnel informed her that food deliveries were not permitted after 6:30 p.m., citing internal directives.

They condemned the restriction, arguing that “no lawful detention justifies denying medical access or refusing basic family care based on arbitrary rules.”

The family accused the commission of engaging in “intimidation dressed up as protocol” and demanded that all constitutional rights due to the former governor be respected.

“We will no longer accept this pattern of intimidation dressed up as protocol. The ICPC must abide by the very laws it claims to enforce,” the statement read.

The family added that efforts were still ongoing to ensure El-Rufai received his meal.

El-Rufai’s wife had earlier posted a video from ICPC custody, narrating her ordeal.

The development comes hours after ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar called for El-Rufai’s release. (Weekend Trust)

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