The spokesperson to El-Rufai, Muyiwa Adekeye, has disclosed that the former Kaduna governor experienced an overnight nosebleed during his detention by the (EFCC).
In a statement released Monday night, Adekeye also claimed that the commission did not permit el-Rufai to receive a meal directly from his wife on February 17.
El-Rufai had voluntarily presented himself at the EFCC headquarters on February 16 after being invited by the agency. Two days later, on February 18, the (ICPC) took him into custody following his release from the EFCC.
Both anti-corruption bodies are investigating the former governor over alleged financial misconduct during his tenure leading from 2015 to 2023. In 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly indicted him over the alleged diversion of N423 billion in public funds and money laundering, recommending that anti-graft agencies probe the matter.
Adekeye stated that el-Rufai’s lawyers have not been presented with any remand order authorising his detention beyond 48 hours without formal charges. He added that the former governor’s legal team and relatives are “having difficulties in securing access to him in detention”.
“One of his wives was not allowed to deliver his meal directly to him on the evening of 17th February, but was asked to pass it to him through one of the commission’s personnel. His lawyers have reported that he suffered an overnight episode of bleeding from his nose,” the statement reads.
He further revealed that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court is scheduled to hear el-Rufai’s fundamental rights enforcement suit on Wednesday. The case lists the federal government, the ICPC, the EFCC, and the (DSS) as defendants.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain is also expected to be arraigned this week over allegations of intercepting a telephone conversation involving Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA).
On Monday, el-Rufai filed a lawsuit against the ICPC, accusing the agency of unlawful invasion of his Abuja residence.