The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged that Nasir El-Rufai, former Kaduna State governor, was denied access to medical treatment by officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), describing the development as a dangerous assault on constitutional democracy.
In a statement on Tuesday signed by Bolaji Abdullahi, its National Publicity Secretary, the opposition party claimed that El-Rufai, who was scheduled to receive treatment at the National Hospital, Abuja, was returned to custody despite medical advice that he required hospitalisation due to his deteriorating health.
The party also alleged that El-Rufai’s personal physician was arrested while his wife was assaulted during a confrontation with ICPC officials after they protested the decision to take him back into custody.
According to the ADC, the actions of the anti-corruption agency amount to political persecution rather than lawful enforcement, accusing the President Bola Tinubu administration of using state institutions to target political opponents.
“The world should know today that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is holding a political prisoner in Nigeria by the name of Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai,” the statement read.
