The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of using state institutions to persecute political opponents, following allegations surrounding the treatment of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, while in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The opposition party alleged that El-Rufai’s personal physician was arrested and his wife assaulted during a confrontation with ICPC officials at the National Hospital, Abuja.
According to the ADC, the incident occurred after officials allegedly prevented the former governor from being admitted for medical treatment despite recommendations by doctors.
ADC Alleges Doctor Arrested, Wife Assaulted
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party claimed El-Rufai had been taken to the National Hospital for medical attention but was ordered back into custody by ICPC officials despite medical advice that he should remain under hospital care.
The ADC alleged that El-Rufai’s wife and his personal physician challenged the decision, leading to a confrontation during which his wife was reportedly assaulted while the doctor was arrested.
The party described the incident as a disturbing violation of the former governor’s constitutional rights and an example of what it called the increasing use of anti-corruption agencies to intimidate political opponents.
‘El-Rufai Denied Access to Family and Doctor’
The ADC further alleged that El-Rufai has been denied regular access to his family members and personal physician despite existing court orders permitting unrestricted access to his legal representatives, relatives and medical team.
According to the opposition party, the restrictions imposed on the former governor have gone beyond lawful detention and now amount to political victimisation.
The party called on the ICPC to publicly explain the legal basis for allegedly preventing El-Rufai from seeing his family and doctor, as well as the reported arrest of his physician.
ADC Holds Tinubu Responsible
While directing its criticism at the anti-graft agency, the ADC insisted that President Bola Tinubu could not distance himself from the actions of the ICPC.
The party argued that agencies of government remain accountable to the administration and urged the President to ensure that constitutional rights are respected.
It also called for what it described as an immediate end to the use of state institutions as instruments of political intimidation, vendetta and selective justice.
Opposition Party Lists Demands
The ADC demanded immediate and unrestricted access for El-Rufai to his wife, children, legal team and personal medical practitioners.
It also called for an urgent review of the bail conditions imposed on the former governor, arguing that they should align with constitutional provisions and the legal principle that bail is intended to guarantee a defendant’s appearance in court rather than serve as punishment before trial.
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The party further demanded improved detention conditions for El-Rufai, full compliance with constitutional guarantees and internationally recognised standards for the treatment of detainees, and complete transparency from the ICPC regarding every restriction imposed on him.
ICPC Yet to Respond
As of the time this report was filed, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission had not issued any official response to the allegations raised by the ADC.
The anti-graft agency has also not commented on the reported arrest of El-Rufai’s physician or the claims that his wife was assaulted during the incident at the National Hospital, Abuja.