THE detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has triggered fresh political tension, with the anti-graft agency denying claims that the former governor suffered a nosebleed while in custody.
News Point Nigeria reports that El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 18, following his release by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where he reportedly spent two nights.
The controversy escalated on Tuesday after El-Rufai’s spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye, alleged that the former governor experienced an episode of overnight nose bleeding while detained.
Adekeye also claimed that El-Rufai’s legal team had not been presented with any remand order authorising his continued detention beyond 48 hours without formal charges.
According to him, members of El-Rufai’s family and legal representatives were facing difficulties in securing direct access to him.
“One of his wives was not allowed to deliver his meal directly to him on the evening of 17th February, but was asked to pass it through one of the commission’s personnel. His lawyers have reported that he suffered an overnight episode of bleeding from his nose,” Adekeye said in a statement.
However, the ICPC swiftly refuted the claim.
“The allegation that he bled from his nose yesterday while in the custody of the ICPC is not true,” said Okor Odey, spokesperson for the commission.
The commission maintained that the former governor did not suffer any health challenges while in its custody.
El-Rufai is currently under investigation by both the ICPC and the EFCC over allegations of financial impropriety during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023.
In 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly indicted him over the alleged diversion of N432 billion in public funds and money laundering, recommending his prosecution.
The former governor has consistently denied wrongdoing.
The situation took a political dimension as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar weighed in on the matter, warning that the Federal Government would be held accountable if anything happens to El-Rufai while in detention.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Atiku described reports of the alleged nosebleed and restricted family access as “deeply troubling and unacceptable in a democracy.”
He called on the Federal Government to clarify which agency is currently holding El-Rufai, whether the EFCC, ICPC, State Security Service (SSS), or another security body.
“Nigerians deserve transparency because secrecy in matters of detention only fuels suspicion,” Atiku said.
“Whichever agency is responsible has a constitutional duty to guarantee his safety, dignity, access to medical care, and access to his family and legal representatives.”
He further argued that if authorities could not guarantee the former governor’s health and fundamental rights, the appropriate course of action would be to grant him bail without delay.
“If anything happens to El-Rufai, this government will be held accountable,” he warned.
Beyond the immediate health concerns, Atiku raised broader issues regarding the credibility of anti-corruption efforts.
He cautioned against what he described as the growing perception of selective prosecution, alleging that opposition figures were being aggressively pursued while others were shielded from scrutiny.
“Anti-corruption must not become a political weapon,” Atiku stated.
“The continued detention of El-Rufai under unclear circumstances raises serious questions about motive. Anti-corruption cannot be credible when it appears partisan, coercive, or strategically timed.”
He stressed that justice must be transparent and accountability even-handed, insisting that the rule of law must apply without fear or favour.
- The image above is used solely for illustrative purposes and does not represent El-Rufai’s current condition in ICPC custody.