Hajiya Asiya El-Rufai has appealed to President Tinubu for her husband’s fair treatment, alleging he has been denied medical care, family access and reasonable bail terms while in ICPC custody.
The wife of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai has made a direct appeal to President Bola Tinubu, insisting her husband does not deserve his current treatment.
Hajiya Asiya El-Rufai, flanked by El-Rufai’s other wife, Aichatou, spoke to newsmen at her Abuja residence, reacting to the arrest of her husband’s personal physician, Prof. Bello Abubakar, confirmed by the ICPC on Tuesday. She alleged her husband, diagnosed with high blood pressure and high blood sugar, has been denied access to medical treatment.
According to Daily Trust, Asiya said the family isn’t asking the President to interfere with the judicial process but to ensure El-Rufai enjoys his constitutional rights, including medical care, access to family, lawyers, and bail on reasonable terms.
“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. “The ball is in your court, Mr. President… 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.”
She described the family as “traumatised,” saying, “We live in constant fear that we will wake up and hear some bad news,” and alleged the situation amounted to “psychological warfare against Malam and against his family.”
Asiya also questioned reports that Prof. Abubakar was barred from accessing anyone for 24 hours on directives from “above,” asking, “Who is the ‘above’?” She further raised concerns about the authenticity of a medical report attributed to the National Hospital, Abuja.
According to the family, restricted access has made it difficult for El-Rufai to prepare his defence. “We want a fair trial… 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 said.
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