Former Governor Accuses ICPC of Medical Neglect
Nasir El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State, has leveled accusations against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC), claiming that the agency has failed to provide him with adequate medical care while in custody. He alleges that his eye condition has worsened significantly, yet the ICPC has disregarded his repeated calls for medical attention.
Concerns Raised Over Deteriorating Health
A statement released on Friday by El-Rufai’s media aide, Muyiwa Adekye, detailed the deteriorating health of the former governor. It noted that despite expressing symptoms of swollen, red, and itchy eyes, the ICPC did not accommodate his requests for medical evaluation. This neglect has raised alarms among family members who visited him in detention, prompting them to implore authorities to expedite his treatment.
Failure to Act on Medical Requests
According to the statement, two ICPC officials examined El-Rufai’s eyes, yet failed to arrange any further medical intervention. El-Rufai claims that a specific official, identified only as Henry, allegedly misinformed his family that he had declined treatment, a claim the family strongly contests.
Examination Yielded No Resulting Care
The statement revealed that two personnel from the ICPC conducted an assessment of El-Rufai’s condition. However, it appears that this examination did not lead to any necessary hospital visit or medical attention. Instead, Henry reportedly told El-Rufai’s family that he was unwilling to see a doctor. This assertion has been met with fierce pushback from his relatives, who label it an insensitivity and an unreasonable allegation.
Increasing Health Concerns
Further compounding the situation, on June 4, El-Rufai was taken to an eye clinic, but his health reportedly declined overnight. Family members, including his wives, expressed profound concern during a visit, describing his condition as uncomfortable and alarming.
Legal Action and Rights to Care
El-Rufai’s legal representatives have stated they previously secured a court order allowing him access to necessary medical care, a mandate that has apparently been overlooked by the ICPC. He contends that the agency is neglecting both the court’s directives and its obligations to care for individuals in its custody.
Call for Respecting Detainees’ Rights
El-Rufai has urged anti-corruption bodies to adhere to court orders, emphasizing that detainees retain essential rights, such as access to health care. He stated that no government agency can afford to be indifferent to the medical needs of individuals in custody, calling on the ICPC to uphold human rights and ensure appropriate medical treatment for detainees.
