The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested Professor Bello Abubakar, the personal physician to former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, over alleged false statements following what the Commission described as the abuse of a court-approved medical visit.
According to an official statement, signed by the Spokesperson and Head, Media and Public Communications of the ICPC, J. Okor Odey, it was disclosed that the Commission expressed concern over developments surrounding the medical visit granted to El-Rufai, who is currently in its custody.
The statement explained that the Kaduna State High Court had fixed July 6, 7 and 8, 2026, for the accelerated hearing of criminal charges against the former governor. However, El-Rufai failed to appear in court on the first day of the proceedings.
The prosecution informed the court that when ICPC officers were ready to convey the defendant to court, he declined, insisting on consulting his personal physician. It further disclosed that no prior request had been made to the Commission for such consultation and that when questioned by the Commission’s medical doctor, El-Rufai reportedly stated he had no immediate medical complaints but said his wife, Asia El-Rufai, who is also one of his legal counsel, requested that he be allowed to see Professor Bello Abubakar.
Following submissions by counsel, the court adjourned the matter until July 15, 2026, to hear the defendant’s application seeking the trial judge’s recusal and to await the directive of the Chief Judge of Kaduna State on a pending petition for the transfer of the case.
The ICPC stated that despite the adjournment, it complied fully with the court’s directives by facilitating El-Rufai’s request to receive medical attention under appropriate security arrangements at the private wing of the National Hospital, Abuja.
The Commission noted that its medical and security personnel conducted themselves professionally during the hospital visit and remained outside the consultation room at the request of El-Rufai’s family while the attending oncologist was said to be examining him.
However, the Commission said it later discovered photographs posted on Facebook at about 2:00 p.m. by one of El-Rufai’s political associates, Isa Ashiru Kudan, indicating that a meeting had taken place with the former governor during the purported medical consultation. The photographs reportedly showed Professor Bello Abubakar, Isa Ashiru Kudan and three other individuals with El-Rufai inside the consultation area.
According to the ICPC, the images suggested that the medical visit was used for activities outside the scope of the court-approved consultation, describing the development as a clear violation of the court order.
The Commission stated that it had exercised patience, professionalism and courtesy in handling El-Rufai and other suspects in its custody but lamented that such courtesies had been abused.
It added that it would draw the attention of the court to what it described as the defendant’s flagrant disobedience of the court’s order.
The ICPC further disclosed that Professor Bello Abubakar had been arrested for allegedly making false statements and is currently in custody to assist ongoing investigations.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to operating strictly within the ambit of the law and warned that it would not tolerate any attempt by individuals or groups to abuse its goodwill or undermine lawful procedures.
