The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has dismissed claims that former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai suffered a nosebleed while in its custody.
The anti-corruption agency was responding to a statement issued 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 false.
He said, “The allegation that he bled from his nose yesterday while in the custody of the ICPC is not true.”
El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 18. Prior to that, he spent two nights with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following his initial arrest.
In his statement, Adekeye also raised concerns about the legality of El-Rufai’s continued detention.
He said the former governor’s legal team had not been presented with any court order authorising his detention beyond 48 hours without formal charges.
He further alleged that family members and lawyers were experiencing difficulty in gaining access to him.
According to Adekeye, one of El-Rufai’s wives was not permitted to hand his meal directly to him and was required to pass it through an ICPC official instead.
Adekeye added that El-Rufai’s lawyers reported that he experienced bleeding from his nose overnight while in detention.
However, the ICPC has firmly rejected that account, maintaining that no such health incident occurred.
Both the ICPC and EFCC are investigating El-Rufai over alleged financial misconduct during his tenure as Governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023.