Muyiwa Adekeye, media aide to Nasir El-Rufai, has alleged that the former Kaduna State governor suffered an overnight nosebleed while in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a statement issued on Monday night, Adekeye also claimed that the anti-graft agency prevented El-Rufai’s wife from handing his meal directly to him on February 17, instructing her instead to pass it through one of its personnel.
El-Rufai had voluntarily presented himself at the EFCC headquarters on February 16 following an invitation from the commission. Two days later, on February 18, he was taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) after being released by the EFCC.
Both agencies are investigating the former governor over alleged financial improprieties during his tenure as Kaduna State governor 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, and called for a probe by anti-graft authorities.
Adekeye stated that El-Rufai’s legal team had not been shown any remand order authorising his continued detention beyond 48 hours without charge. He added that his family and lawyers were encountering difficulties in securing access to him while in custody.
“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 read.
Adekeye further disclosed that the Federal Capital Territory High Court is scheduled to hear El-Rufai’s fundamental rights enforcement suit on Wednesday. The suit is filed against the federal government, the ICPC, the EFCC and the Department of State Services (DSS).
El-Rufai, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is also scheduled for arraignment this week over allegations that he intercepted a telephone conversation involving Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser.
On Monday, the former governor also filed a separate suit against the ICPC, alleging unlawful invasion of his Abuja residence.
