Officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have denied allegations by former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, that he suffered nose bleeding while in the agency’s custody.
The anti-graft body dismissed the claim made by El-Rufai’s spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye, insisting that the former governor did not experience any health challenge during his detention.
El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 18, shortly after his release from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where he had earlier spent two nights. The circumstances surrounding his transfer and continued detention have sparked legal and political concerns.
In a statement on Tuesday, Adekeye said El-Rufai’s legal team had not been presented with any remand order authorising his detention beyond the constitutionally permitted 48 hours without charge. He also alleged that both the legal team and family members were facing difficulties gaining access to the former governor while in custody.
The ICPC has yet to publicly disclose the specific allegations prompting El-Rufai’s detention, even as calls mount from his associates for due process and transparency in the handling of the case.
Observers say the dispute between the anti-corruption agency and El-Rufai’s camp underscores broader concerns over detention procedures and suspects’ rights within Nigeria’s law-enforcement system.
