El-Rufai family alleges ICPC blocked medical care, food access

The family of detained former Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai has accused Nigeria’s anti-graft agency of blocking him from receiving medical care and food while he is held in custody, allegations his son said violate a court order and the former governor’s constitutional rights.

In a statement issued through his son, Mohammed Bello, a member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, el-Rufai’s family said two separate incidents occurred at the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission headquarters. Bello alleged that el-Rufai’s personal doctor arrived at about 3 p.m. to discuss the results of recent medical tests, but was denied access by ICPC officials who, according to the family, said written permission from the ICPC chairman was required. The family said a subsisting court order grants el-Rufai unrestricted access to his doctors.

The family further alleged that el-Rufai’s wife, Aichatou, arrived at about 7 p.m. with his evening meal but was turned away by security personnel. They said officials told her that food deliveries would not be allowed after 6:30 p.m. In a video shared on social media, she can be heard saying she had been waiting since 7...