Abuja: The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested Professor Bello Abubakar, personal physician to former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, over what it described as an abuse of a court-approved medical visit.
The arrest followed concerns that a hospital consultation granted to El-Rufai at the private wing of the National Hospital in Abuja was used for purposes beyond medical care. ICPC spokesperson John Odey said Abubakar was taken into custody after allegedly making false statements about the visit.
The Kaduna State High Court had scheduled July 6–8 for the accelerated hearing of criminal charges against El-Rufai, who remains in ICPC custody. On the first day, however, the former governor did not appear in court.
Prosecutors told the judge that he refused to be conveyed, insisting instead on seeing his personal doctor.
Although ICPC facilitated the hospital visit in line with the court’s directive, photos later surfaced online showing El-Rufai in a meeting with Abubakar and several associates at a time when he was supposed to be receiving medical attention.
The commission said the images suggested the visit was used for activities outside the scope approved by the court, calling it a violation of the order and an abuse of its goodwill.
Odey explained that ICPC officers had remained outside the consultation room at the family’s request, respecting El-Rufai’s privacy.
But the online posts, shared by political associate Isa Kudan, showed a gathering that contradicted the purpose of the visit.
The commission said it had exercised patience and courtesy in handling El-Rufai’s case but warned that such courtesies had been abused.
Abubakar has now been detained for further questioning, and the ICPC said it would bring the alleged disobedience to the court’s attention.
The trial has been adjourned to July 15 to hear an application for the judge’s recusal and to await the Chief Judge’s directive on a transfer petition.
ICPC reiterated its commitment to operating within the law while safeguarding the integrity of judicial processes.
