THE wives of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in what they described as their family’s ordeal, urging him to ensure that the former governor enjoys his constitutional rights as he faces prosecution.
News Point Nigeria reports that the appeal was made on Tuesday in Abuja by Asiya El-Rufai, who spoke on behalf of the family while reacting to the arrest of Bello Abubakar, the former governor’s personal physician, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Asiya addressed journalists alongside another wife of the former governor, Aichatou, shortly after the ICPC alleged that El-Rufai and Professor Bello Abubakar abused privileges and violated a court order relating to the former governor’s medical consultation.
The allegation was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the ICPC spokesperson, Okor Odey.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Asiya stressed that they were not asking President Tinubu to interfere with the judicial process or stop the prosecution of her husband.
According to her, the family was only demanding the constitutional rights guaranteed to every Nigerian, including access to medical care, family members, legal representatives and bail on reasonable terms.
Directly addressing the President, Asiya recalled the support she and her husband gave Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election campaign.
“Mr. President sir, I campaigned for you. I stood up and went to every nook and cranny of Kaduna State for you. My husband stood by your side. Is this what our family deserves?” she asked.
She appealed to the President to intervene, insisting that the decision ultimately rested with him.
“The ball is in your court, Mr. President. All these can stop if you say a word. We believe that you are a father and we know you can empathise,” she said.
Asiya maintained that the family was not seeking preferential treatment for the former governor.
“Please let him go free. I am not asking you to tell them not to prosecute him, but we are asking you to allow him the basic human rights that the constitution you swore to uphold and defend guarantees.
“Let them give him the bail that he can afford. If he is guilty, let the court decide; if he is innocent, let the court decide.”
She further alleged that El-Rufai, whom she said suffers from high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar levels, had been denied adequate medical attention while in custody.
According to her, the continued detention of the former governor and the restrictions placed on access to his doctors and family members had left the family traumatised.
“We, the family, are traumatised. We live in constant fear that we will wake up and hear some bad news,” she said.
She further alleged that the treatment meted out to the former governor was intended to break both him and his family psychologically.
“I honestly think that what they are doing is more about psychological warfare against Mallam and against his family.
“If they humiliate us, dehumanise us and put us in constant fear, they feel that affects Mallam.”
Asiya also questioned the alleged decision to deny El-Rufai access to his physician.
“We were told that orders from ‘above’ said Professor Bello Abubakar cannot have access to anybody for 24 hours. Who is the ‘above’?” she queried.
The family further alleged that visits by relatives had become increasingly restricted.
They also expressed concern over a medical report purportedly issued by the National Hospital, Abuja, arguing that both the document and the circumstances surrounding its issuance should be investigated through the consultant whose name appeared on the report.
According to the family, the restrictions imposed on the former governor have made it difficult for him to adequately prepare his legal defence.
“We do not shy away from defending ourselves, but we want a fair trial. We want an opportunity to be heard,” Asiya said.
She added that El-Rufai could not effectively prepare his defence while remaining in custody with limited access to his lawyers.
“Mallam cannot adequately prepare for his defence while he remains in custody and has limited access to his lawyers.”
She again appealed for the former governor to be granted bail on conditions he could reasonably meet pending the conclusion of his trial.
“We are only asking that he be given the basic human rights guaranteed by the constitution. Let him be granted bail on reasonable terms. If he is guilty, let the court decide. If he is innocent, let the court also decide,” she added.