Muyiwa Adekeye, spokesperson to former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, has disclosed that the ex-governor reportedly suffered a nosebleed while in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a statement issued late Monday, Adekeye also alleged that the commission prevented one of El-Rufai’s wives from handing food to him directly on February 17, instructing her instead to pass the meal through its personnel.
El-Rufai had presented himself at the EFCC headquarters on February 16 following an invitation from the anti-corruption agency. On February 18, after his release by the EFCC, he was taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Both anti-graft agencies are investigating him over alleged financial misconduct during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023. In 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly accused him of misappropriating N423 billion in public funds and engaging in money laundering, and urged relevant authorities to probe the allegations.
Adekeye said El-Rufai’s legal team has not been presented with any remand order authorising his detention beyond 48 hours without formal charges. He also claimed that his lawyers and family members have encountered difficulties gaining access to him while in custody.
According to the statement, one of his wives was denied direct access to deliver his meal and had to hand it over through commission officials. His lawyers also reported that he experienced an episode of nosebleeding overnight while detained.
The spokesperson further revealed that the Federal Capital Territory High Court is scheduled to hear El-Rufai’s suit on Wednesday, in which he is seeking enforcement of his fundamental rights against the Federal Government, the ICPC, the EFCC, and the Department of State Services (DSS).
A prominent figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), El-Rufai is also expected to be arraigned this week over allegations that he intercepted a telephone conversation involving Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser.
In addition, he has filed a separate lawsuit against the ICPC, accusing the agency of unlawfully raiding his residence in Abuja.
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