By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested Professor Bello Abubakar, the personal physician of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, over allegations that he made false statements following the former governor’s hospital visit.
The commission announced the development in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Okor Odey, who also accused el-Rufai and his physician of violating the conditions attached to a court-approved medical consultation.
According to the statement, the ICPC approved el-Rufai’s request to receive medical treatment under security supervision.
Odey said, “During the hospital visit on Tuesday, 7th July, 2026, at the private wing of the National Hospital, FCT, officers of the Commission’s medical and security team conducted themselves professionally and respected the defendant’s privacy.”
He added, “At the request of members of his family, the officers remained outside the consultation room while the attending oncologist was purportedly examining him.”
The commission said that at about 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Isa Ashiru Kudan, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Kaduna State, shared photographs on Facebook. The post stated that he had concluded a meeting with el-Rufai.
Odey said, “The picture posted on Facebook also had Professor Abubakar, Isa Kudan, and three others with El Rufai at a time he was supposedly having a medical consultation.”
He further alleged that the meeting went beyond the purpose for which the court granted the medical visit.
According to him, “The images and post by Isa Kudan indicated that the arranged medical visit was utilised for activities outside the scope contemplated by the court and the ICPC. This is a clear violation of the court order!”
The ICPC spokesperson also claimed that the commission’s goodwill had been repeatedly taken for granted.
He said, “Professor Bello Abubakar has been arrested for making false statements. At this moment, Professor Bello Abubakar, El Rufai’s personal physician, has been taken into custody for further investigation.”
The development follows a ruling by the Kaduna State High Court on July 2, which rejected el-Rufai’s third application for bail in the ongoing trial over a nine-count charge filed by the ICPC.
Justice Darius Khobo held that the medical report presented by the former governor could not support his request because the National Hospital, Abuja, had disowned the document.
The court, however, directed the ICPC to grant el-Rufai unrestricted access to his personal doctors and allow them to take him to any specialised diagnostic or clinical facility of his choice within Nigeria while the trial continues.
