By Deborah Nnamdi
Officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have dismissed claims that former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, suffered a nosebleed while in the commission’s custody.
The anti-graft agency was reacting to allegations made by El-Rufai’s spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye, who had stated that the former governor experienced a health challenge during his detention. According to Adekeye, El-Rufai’s lawyers reported that he suffered an overnight episode of bleeding from his nose.
However, ICPC spokesperson, Okor Odey, refuted the claim on Tuesday, insisting that the allegation was untrue. “The allegation that he (El-Rufai) bled from his nose yesterday while in the custody of the ICPC is not true,” Odey said.
El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 18, following his release by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where he reportedly spent two nights.
Adekeye also alleged that El-Rufai’s legal team had not been presented with any remand order authorizing his continued detention beyond 48 hours without charge. He further claimed that members of the former governor’s family and legal representatives were experiencing difficulties gaining access to him.
“One of his wives was not allowed to deliver his meal directly to him on the evening of February 17 but was asked to pass it through one of the commission’s personnel,” Adekeye said.
Both the ICPC and the EFCC are investigating El-Rufai over alleged financial impropriety during his tenure as Kaduna State governor between 2015 and 2023.
In 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly indicted the former governor over the alleged diversion of N432 billion in public funds and money laundering, recommending his prosecution.
