‘He Is In Great Discomfort’ – El-Rufai’s Aide Accuses ICPC Of Denying Ex-Governor Medical Care

Muyiwa Adekeye, media aide to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of denying the former governor access to medical treatment despite complaints of a worsening eye condition.

Naija News reports that Adekeye made the allegation in a statement issued on Friday.

According to the statement, el-Rufai complained of swollen, reddish and itchy eyes while in the custody of the anti-graft agency and requested medical attention.

Adekeye said family members who visited him also drew the attention of ICPC officials to the condition and sought urgent medical intervention.

The media aide alleged that two ICPC officials examined the former governor’s eyes but no further medical care was arranged.

“Two ICPC officials checked and saw the condition of his eyes. This was expected step to prompt either a hospital check or that a doctor would be summoned to attend to him,” Adekeye said.

He further alleged that an official identified as Henry informed a family member that el-Rufai did not wish to see a doctor.

“However, no medical attention was arranged. Rather one Henry, believed to have been seconded to the ICPC from another agency, falsely informed a family member that El-Rufai did not wish to see a doctor,” the statement added.

Adekeye said the former governor had earlier been taken to an eye clinic on June 4 but his condition allegedly deteriorated afterwards.

“The wives who visited him today found him in great discomfort and were alarmed by the condition of his eyes,” he stated.

The aide said el-Rufai’s legal team had previously secured a court order granting him access to his doctors and medical treatment while in detention.

He accused the anti-corruption agency of failing to comply with the order.

“The ICPC persists in treating him as if he is without rights and is undeserving of a duty of care while in their custody,” Adekeye said.

The former governor’s aide urged the commission to respect the court order and facilitate appropriate medical treatment.

“No agency of the government is allowed to be indifferent to the medical condition of a person in their custody,” he said.

“The ICPC must respect human rights of persons in its custody, obey court orders and allow them access to the medical treatment that they require.”