Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The wife of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Hajiya Asia El-Rufai, made an emotional appeal to President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday evening, 7 July 2026, asking him to ensure her husband receives fair treatment and his constitutional rights while in detention. Speaking at their Abuja residence alongside El-Rufai's other wife, Aichatou, Asia recalled the support she and her husband gave to President Tinubu during the 2023 presidential campaign and questioned whether their family deserved the current ordeal.
Her appeal came hours after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) confirmed the arrest of El-Rufai's personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar, over allegations of making false statements in connection with the former governor's court-approved medical visit while in custody. According to the ICPC, El-Rufai was taken to the National Hospital in Abuja on Tuesday for a medical consultation, but photographs posted on Facebook showed him meeting with the ADC governorship candidate in Kaduna, Isa Ashiru Kudan, and others during the period he was supposed to be receiving treatment. The commission described this as a "clear violation of the court order".
In a direct message to the President, Asia said: "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 stressed that the family was not asking for political interference or a halt to his prosecution, but rather that El-Rufai be allowed to enjoy the basic rights guaranteed by the Constitution, including access to medical care, family members, lawyers, and bail on reasonable terms.
Asia alleged that her husband, who she said had been diagnosed with high blood pressure and high blood sugar, had been denied adequate medical treatment while in custody. She described the restrictions on access to doctors, relatives, and lawyers as "psychological warfare" against the family, leaving them traumatised and living in constant fear. She also questioned the reported decision to deny El-Rufai's personal physician access to him, asking: "We were told that orders from 'above' said Professor Bello Abubakar cannot have access to anybody for 24 hours. Who is the 'above'?"
The family appealed to the court to grant El-Rufai bail on terms he could reasonably meet pending the conclusion of his trial. "We do not shy away from defending ourselves, but we want a fair trial. We want an opportunity to be heard. Malam cannot adequately prepare for his defence while he remains in custody and has limited access to his lawyers," Asia said. She maintained that if he is guilty, the court should decide, and if he is innocent, the court should also decide. El-Rufai is currently facing a nine-count charge filed by the ICPC, and his third bail application was recently rejected by the Kaduna High Court.
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