Nasir El-Rufai, the media aide to former governor of Kaduna state has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of failing to provide medical attention despite concerns over his deteriorating eye condition while in custody.
In a statement issued on Friday, Muyiwa Adekeye said El-Rufai complained of swollen, reddish and itchy eyes and requested medical attention.
According to Adekeye, family members who visited the former governor also alerted ICPC officials to his condition and appealed for urgent medical intervention.
“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.
“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.
“Henry was vigorously challenged by a family member for this false, insensitive and absurd claim.”
The aide disclosed that El-Rufai had visited an eye clinic on June 4, but his condition reportedly worsened overnight.
“The wives who visited him today found him in great discomfort and were alarmed by the condition of his eyes,” he added.
Adekeye further stated that El-Rufai’s legal team had earlier secured a court order granting him access to his doctors and medical treatment due to recurring eye-related health concerns during his detention.
“The ICPC persists in treating him as if he is without rights and is undeserving of a duty of care while in their custody,” he said.
He called on the anti-corruption agency to comply with the court order and ensure the former governor receives appropriate medical care.
“No agency of the government is allowed to be indifferent to the medical condition of a person in their custody.
“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.”
The ICPC had not issued an official response to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.