The wives of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in what they described as their family’s “ordeal,” urging him to ensure that their husband is granted bail and allowed unhindered access to medical care, lawyers and relatives while standing trial.
The appeal followed the arrest of El-Rufai’s personal physician, Prof. Bello Abubakar, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission over allegations linked to the former governor’s medical consultation while in custody.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja, one of the former governor’s wives, Asiya El-Rufai, flanked by Aichatou El-Rufai, insisted that the family was not asking the President to halt the prosecution or interfere with the judicial process but to ensure that El-Rufai enjoys his constitutional rights.
She said, “Mr. President, I campaigned for you. I went to every nook and cranny of Kaduna State for you. My husband stood by your side. Is this what our family deserves?
“The ball is in your court. All these can stop if you say a word. We believe you are a father and can empathise.”
Asiya maintained that the family only wanted El-Rufai to be granted bail on reasonable terms, stressing that the courts should be allowed to determine his innocence or guilt.
“We are not asking for preferential treatment. Let him enjoy the basic human rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Let him be granted bail that he can afford. If he is guilty, let the court decide. If he is innocent, let the court also decide,” she said.
The family further alleged that the former governor, who they said suffers from high blood pressure and fluctuating blood sugar levels, had been denied adequate medical attention despite his health condition.
According to Asiya, the continued detention and restrictions placed on access to his doctors, lawyers and relatives have subjected the family to emotional trauma.
“We live in constant fear that we may wake up to hear bad news. What is happening appears to be psychological warfare against Mallam and the entire family,” she said.
She also questioned what she described as directives from unnamed authorities allegedly preventing El-Rufai’s physician from seeing him.
“We were told that orders from ‘above’ said Professor Bello Abubakar could not have access to anybody for 24 hours. Who is the ‘above’?” she asked.
The family equally raised concerns over a medical report reportedly issued by the National Hospital, Abuja, urging authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the document through the consultant whose name appeared on it.
They argued that restrictions on access to legal counsel were hampering El-Rufai’s ability to prepare his defence.
“We do not shy away from defending ourselves, but we want a fair trial. Mallam cannot adequately prepare for his defence while he remains in custody and has limited access to his lawyers,” Asiya said.
The appeal comes hours after the ICPC announced the arrest of Prof. Bello Abubakar, alleging that both the physician and El-Rufai abused official privileges and violated a court order relating to the former governor’s medical consultation.
The anti-graft agency said investigations into the matter are ongoing.
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