The ICPC has arrested Bello Abubakar, personal physician to Nasir el-Rufai, for allegedly making false statements after a hospital visit that the anti-graft agency claims was used for a political meeting in violation of a court order.
A routine hospital visit has spiralled into an arrest, with the ICPC accusing former Kaduna governor Nasir el-Rufai and his personal physician of abusing court-approved privileges.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested Bello Abubakar, el-Rufai’s personal physician, over allegations of making false statements following a hospital visit on Tuesday.
In a statement, ICPC spokesperson Okor Odey said the commission had facilitated el-Rufai’s request for medical attention “under appropriate security arrangements” at the private wing of the National Hospital, FCT. “During the hospital visit on Tuesday, 7th July, 2026… officers of the Commission’s medical and security team conducted themselves professionally and respected the defendant’s privacy,” Odey said, adding that officers remained outside the consultation room at the request of the family while an oncologist reportedly examined el-Rufai.
According to The Cable, Odey alleged that around 2pm the same day, Isa Ashiru Kudan, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Kaduna, posted photos on Facebook claiming a meeting had been concluded with el-Rufai. “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,” Odey said, describing it as “a clear violation of the court order.”
He added that “professional courtesies” extended to el-Rufai have been repeatedly abused, confirming, “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 comes days after a Kaduna High Court dismissed el-Rufai’s third bail application on July 2, with Justice Darius Khobo ruling that a medical report submitted by el-Rufai — since disowned by the National Hospital — could not support his bail request. The judge, however, ordered the ICPC to grant el-Rufai unrestricted access to his personal physicians and specialised medical facilities during his trial.
Source: The Cable
Short-Form Headline: ICPC Arrests El-Rufai’s Physician Over “False Statements”
Suggested Headlines:
- El-Rufai’s Physician Arrested as ICPC Alleges Court Order Violation
- Medical Visit Turns Political? El-Rufai’s Doctor Arrested by ICPC
- ICPC Cries Foul Over El-Rufai’s “Abused” Hospital Visit, Arrests Physician
One-Sentence Summary: The ICPC has arrested Bello Abubakar, personal physician to Nasir el-Rufai, for allegedly making false statements after a hospital visit that the anti-graft agency claims was used for a political meeting in violation of a court order.
A routine hospital visit has spiralled into an arrest, with the ICPC accusing former Kaduna governor Nasir el-Rufai and his personal physician of abusing court-approved privileges.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested Bello Abubakar, el-Rufai’s personal physician, over allegations of making false statements following a hospital visit on Tuesday.
In a statement, ICPC spokesperson Okor Odey said the commission had facilitated el-Rufai’s request for medical attention “under appropriate security arrangements” at the private wing of the National Hospital, FCT. “During the hospital visit on Tuesday, 7th July, 2026… officers of the Commission’s medical and security team conducted themselves professionally and respected the defendant’s privacy,” Odey said, adding that officers remained outside the consultation room at the request of the family while an oncologist reportedly examined el-Rufai.
However, Odey alleged that around 2pm the same day, Isa Ashiru Kudan, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Kaduna, posted photos on Facebook claiming a meeting had been concluded with el-Rufai. “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,” Odey said, describing it as “a clear violation of the court order.”
He added that “professional courtesies” extended to el-Rufai have been repeatedly abused, confirming, “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 comes days after a Kaduna High Court dismissed el-Rufai’s third bail application on July 2, with Justice Darius Khobo ruling that a medical report submitted by el-Rufai — since disowned by the National Hospital — could not support his bail request. The judge, however, ordered the ICPC to grant el-Rufai unrestricted access to his personal physicians and specialised medical facilities during his trial.
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