El-Rufai’s wives urge President Tinubu to protect rights

The wives of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai have appealed directly to President Bola Tinubu, asking him to intervene to ensure their husband receives basic constitutional rights while in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission. Asiya El-Rufai, speaking alongside another wife, Aichatou, made the emotional plea to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

The appeal came on the same day the ICPC confirmed the arrest of El-Rufai's personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar. The commission stated the physician was detained for allegedly making false statements in connection with a court-approved medical visit for the former governor. The ICPC alleged that the medical visit, which was granted at the private wing of the National Hospital in Abuja, was abused when El-Rufai used the opportunity to hold a political meeting, a claim supported by photos later posted online.

Asiya El-Rufai emphasized the family is not asking the president to interfere with the judicial process or halt the prosecution. Instead, she pleaded for El-Rufai to be granted access to medical care, family members, lawyers, and bail on reasonable...