Hajiya Asia El-Rufai, one of the wives of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure her husband receives what she described as fair treatment as he faces ongoing criminal proceedings.
Speaking on Tuesday at the family’s residence in Abuja alongside El-Rufai’s other wife, Aichatou, Asia said the family was not asking the President to influence the judicial process but to ensure that the former governor enjoys the constitutional rights available to every Nigerian.
The appeal came shortly after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) confirmed the arrest of El-Rufai’s personal physician, Prof. Bello Abubakar, over alleged false statements relating to the former governor’s court-approved medical visit while in the agency’s custody.
Asia also claimed that her husband, whom she said suffers from high blood pressure and high blood sugar, had not been given adequate access to medical care.
Recalling the family’s support for Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, she urged the President to intervene by ensuring that El-Rufai’s rights are respected.
“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 added:
“The ball is in your court, Mr President. All these can stop if you say a word. We believe that you are a father, and we know you can empathise.”
Asia stressed that the family was not asking the President to stop the prosecution but wanted the legal process to be fair.
“Please, 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 also appealed for the former governor to be granted bail on conditions he could reasonably meet.
“Let them give him the bail that he can afford. If he is guilty, let the court decide. If he is innocent, let the court decide.”
According to her, the family’s ordeal has been worsened by what she described as prolonged detention and limited access to doctors, lawyers and relatives.
“We, the family, are traumatised. We live in constant fear that we will wake up and hear some bad news.”
She further alleged that the situation amounted to psychological pressure on both El-Rufai and his family.
“I honestly think that what they are doing is more about psychological warfare against Mallam and his family. If they humiliate, dehumanise and put us in constant fear, they feel it affects him.”
Asia also questioned the reported decision to prevent the former governor’s personal physician from seeing him.
“We were told that orders from ‘above’ said Professor Bello Abubakar cannot have access to anybody for 24 hours. Who is the ‘above’?”
She said the family was also concerned about a medical report reportedly issued by the National Hospital Abuja, calling for clarification over its authenticity and how it was produced.
According to her, the restrictions imposed on El-Rufai have affected his ability to adequately prepare his defence.
“We do not shy away from defending ourselves, but we want a fair trial. We want an opportunity to be heard. Mallam cannot adequately prepare for his defence while he remains in custody and has limited access to his lawyers.”
She reiterated that the family’s request was simply for him to enjoy the constitutional rights available to every citizen pending the outcome of his trial.
The appeal followed a statement issued earlier on Tuesday by the ICPC, which accused El-Rufai of violating the conditions attached to a court-approved medical visit while in the commission’s custody.
The anti-corruption agency also announced the arrest of Prof. Bello Abubakar, alleging that he made false statements in connection with the medical visit.
According to the commission, it approved El-Rufai’s hospital visit in compliance with a court order and its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of persons in custody.
The ICPC further disclosed that the Kaduna State High Court had fixed July 6, 7 and 8, 2026, for the accelerated hearing of the criminal charges against the former governor but claimed he failed to appear on the first day after insisting on seeing his personal doctor before leaving for court.