The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has denied claims that former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, was denied access to food, family and medical care in its custody.
The ICPC spokesperson, Okor Odey, dismissed the allegations at a press conference on Monday, describing them as “false and misleading.”
Odey said visitors were allowed into ICPC detention facilities between 9 am and 6.30 pm, adding that El-Rufai’s wife arrived after the approved visiting period.
“On the Friday in question, one of the defendant’s wives and a housemaid were permitted to bring food to the defendant on no fewer than three occasions between 10:30 am and 5:30pm,” he said.
He added that authorised visitors, including family members, lawyers and medical personnel, were allowed access under supervision.
Odey also denied claims that el-Rufai’s doctors were blocked, saying officials only requested proper identification before granting supervised access.
He further stated, “It is a standard security procedure. It bears mentioning that in the week preceding this incident, Malam el-Rufai had requested, and was granted permission to visit both his dentist and eye doctor on two separate occasions.
“The commission accompanied him on both visits.”
The ICPC said it would not be drawn into “dramatised narratives designed to circumvent lawful institutional procedures.”
El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 19, accused of financial impropriety during his tenure as Kaduna governor.