MEDIA aide to former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, Muyiwa Adekeye has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission of denying the former governor access to medical care despite repeated complaints about a worsening eye condition while in custody.
In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Friday, Adekeye alleged that El-Rufai had complained of swollen, reddish and itchy eyes during his detention and requested permission to see a doctor.
According to him, family members who visited the former governor also observed his condition and alerted ICPC officials, while seeking urgent medical attention on his behalf.
Adekeye stated that two officials of the anti-graft agency examined El-Rufai’s eyes after the complaints were raised, but no further medical intervention was provided.
He further alleged that an official identified as Henry informed one of El-Rufai’s family members that the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory did not wish to see a doctor.
“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,” the statement read.
“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 former governor’s aide disclosed that El-Rufai had previously been taken to an eye clinic on June 4, but said the condition reportedly deteriorated overnight.
“The wives who visited him today found him in great discomfort and were alarmed by the condition of his eyes,” Adekeye said.
He also revealed that El-Rufai’s legal team had earlier secured a court order permitting him access to his doctors and medical treatment because of persistent eye-related health concerns during his detention.
According to Adekeye, the anti-corruption agency has continued to disregard the former governor’s rights despite the court directive.
“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.
The media aide urged the commission to comply with the court order and ensure that El-Rufai receives the medical attention he requires.
“No agency of the government is allowed to be indifferent to the medical condition of a person in their custody,” he stated.
“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.”
As of the time of filing this report, the ICPC had not responded to the allegations made against it.
The development has added a new dimension to the controversy surrounding El-Rufai’s detention, with his aides and family insisting that his health condition requires immediate medical attention and strict compliance with existing court orders.