By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The opposition Coalition platform, African Democratic Congress, ADC on Monday, May 18, 2026, expressed serious concern over the deteriorating health condition of detained former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai.
The party also warned that President Bola Tinubu will be held accountable should anything happen to El-Rufai who has been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, since February 18, 2026.
The ADC’s alarm is tolling just as the ICPC vehemently debunked claims suggesting that medical doctors and family members have been denied access to the former Kaduna State Governor.
El-Rufai’s wife and son, last weekend, alleged that the anti-corruption commission has denied El-Rufai access to his doctors, as well as stopping the delivery of his meals, a situation they claimed has compounded his health challenges.
It would be recalled that an Abuja Federal High Court had, last week, ordered that El-Rufai be allowed supervised access to medical attention for his health challenges.
In a statement on Monday, Bolaji Abdullahi spokesperson for the ADC accused President Tinubu of using the instruments of State power to suppress and hold El-Rufai, “a political prisoner”
The party emphasized that El-Rufai has been unjustly detained for an unusually prolonged period by the Government using State institutions.
The party wondered how the former Kaduna State Governor has preoccupied anti-graft agencies which curiously have turned a blind eye to high profile corruption suspects including Yahaya Bello ,and Ifeanyi Okowa , former Governors of Kogi and Delta states respectively.
“The African Democratic Congress is deeply concerned about the continued detention of Malam Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai and his deteriorating health condition following reports from his family alleging denial of medical access to his doctors.
“These reports, if true, represent a dangerous assault on his dignity, health and constitutional rights.
“What is happening to Malam El-Rufai confirms beyond all doubt that this detention is no longer about justice, it is about politics.
“It also confirms our fears that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is deploying the instruments of state power to keep one of the leading opposition figures out of circulation. This is political persecution dressed up in prosecution.
“When placed beside other high-profile cases, the contrast becomes stark and shameful. Yahaya Bello, former Governor of Kogi State has been accused in an alleged N80.2 billion money laundering case.
” Ifeanyi Okowa, former Governor of Delta State, was arrested over the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion in derivation funds . But today, they are walking around free, singing President Tinubu’s campaign song.
“We state clearly: Malam Nasir El-Rufai is President Bola Tinubu’s political prisoner. This alone brings the President’s democratic credentials into disrepute.
“The African Democratic Congress has put in motion mechanisms through every lawful means available locally, nationally, continentally and Internationally to secure the release of Malam Nasir El-Rufai who, by every practical definition, has become a political prisoner in Nigeria”, the ADC stated.
Meanwhile, the ICPC on Monday, said it never denied El-Rufai access either to his doctors or his food.
The Commission described the allegations from El-Rufai’s family as not only false but, misleading and totally baseless.
The ICPC, in a statement, noted that its operations are strictly guided by what it described as “Access Control Protocol within its premises.
“The Commission notes the wide circulation of a video interview since 10:00 pm on Friday ,15 May 2026.
“The facts of the matter: The ICPC’s Access Control Protocol which permits visitor access between 9:00 am and 6:30 pm has been in existence long before the current Chairman assumed office. It is a standing institutional policy that applies to all persons in custody.
“The families of all defendants ,and suspects in ICPC custody, including the family in question, were duly informed of this protocol, and have, until this incident, been in compliance.
“On the Friday in question, one of the defendants wives and a housemaid were permitted to bring food to the defendant on no fewer than three occasions between 10:30 am and 5:30 pm .
“This is documented in the visitors register which records the names of family members and the purpose of each visit ,and is available for independent verification.
” lAuthorized visitors, including family , legal counsel ,and medical personnel are permitted to visit, deliver food, and consult with persons in custody. However, entry is strictly not permitted after 6: 30 pm.
“The woman in the video herself acknowledged that she arrived at 7:00 pm, thirty minutes after the close of the official access window.
“It is on record that she has on prior occasions exceeded her permitted visiting duration.
“Furthermore, the woman herself admitted in the same video that she had delivered both breakfast ,and lunch to her husband earlier that day, thereby contradicting the allegation that ICPC denied him access to food.
” …. Concerning the claim that medical staff were refused entry, the ICPC would like to clarify that it merely requested appropriate identification from the aforementioned personnel, and verification from the defendant prior to allowing supervised access – a routine security measure.
“It is important to note that the week leading up to this event, Malam El-Rufai had sought, and was granted permission to visit both his dentist and ophthalmologist on two distinct occasions.
“The Commission accompanied him during both appointments. This is in addition to the consistent access he has to the Commission’s internal medical staff and facilities.upon request”, the ICPC noted.
However, the Commission emphasized that it is not interested in engaging in public spectacle, while also affirming its unwavering commitment to observing institutional protocols in its operations.
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