THe Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has dismissed claims that former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, suffered a nosebleed while in its custody.
The commission was reacting to a statement by El-Rufai’s spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye, who alleged that the former governor experienced a health issue during his detention.
ICPC spokesperson Okor Odey described the claim as untrue. “The allegation that he bled from his nose yesterday while in the custody of the ICPC is not true,” he said.
El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 18. Before his transfer to the commission, he reportedly spent two nights with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following his initial arrest.
In his statement, Adekeye questioned the legality of El-Rufai’s continued detention, alleging that his legal team had not been shown any court order authorising detention beyond 48 hours without formal charges.
He also raised concerns about access to the former governor, claiming that family members and lawyers were encountering difficulties in seeing him. According to Adekeye, one of El-Rufai’s wives was required to hand over his meal to an ICPC official rather than directly to him.
Adekeye further alleged that El-Rufai’s lawyers were informed that he experienced a nosebleed overnight while in detention. The ICPC, however, firmly rejected that account, maintaining that no such medical incident occurred.
Both the ICPC and the EFCC are investigating El-Rufai over alleged financial misconduct during his tenure as Kaduna State governor between 2015 and 2023.
