Muyiwa Adekeye, a media aide to former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, alleged that El-Rufai has remained in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission with an untreated swollen eye. Adekeye said the former governor, who has been detained for more than 90 days, was not provided medical care despite complaints about the worsening condition.
In a statement issued on Friday, Adekeye said El-Rufai had complained of swollen, reddish and itchy eyes while in ICPC custody and requested to see a doctor.
He added that family members who visited the former governor of Kaduna alerted ICPC officials to his condition and sought medical attention on his behalf.
Adekeye said two ICPC officials examined El-Rufai’s eyes, but no further medical intervention was provided.
He said an official identified as Henry informed a family member falsely that the ex-governor did not want to see a doctor.
“Two ICPC officials checked and saw the condition of his eyes. This was expected to prompt either a hospital check or that a doctor would be summoned to attend to him,” the statement reads.
“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 wives who visited him today (June 5) found him in great discomfort and were alarmed by the condition of his eyes,” Adekeye said.
He added that El-Rufai’s lawyers had earlier obtained a court order allowing him access to his doctors and medical treatment because of persistent eye-related issues 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.
Adekeye urged the anti-graft agency to comply with the court order and ensure El-Rufai receives adequate medical attention.
“No agency of the government is allowed to be indifferent to the medical condition of a person in their custody,” he said.
“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.”