Muyiwa Adekeye, spokesperson for former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, has said his principal suffered a nosebleed while in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a statement issued late Monday, Adekeye said El-Rufai experienced an overnight episode of bleeding from his nose while in the anti-graft agency’s custody.
He further alleged that on February 17, one of El-Rufai’s wives was prevented from handing his meal to him directly and was instructed to pass it through an EFCC official.
“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.
El-Rufai reportedly presented himself at the EFCC headquarters on February 16 following an invitation from the agency. Two days later, on February 18, he was taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) after his release by the EFCC.
Both agencies are investigating the former governor over alleged financial misconduct during his tenure as Kaduna State governor from 2015 to 2023.
In 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly accused El-Rufai of misappropriating N423 billion and engaging in money laundering, and urged anti-corruption agencies to investigate the allegations.
Adekeye said El-Rufai’s lawyers have not been shown any remand order authorising his detention beyond the constitutionally permitted 48 hours without charge. He also claimed that his legal team and family members were facing difficulties accessing him.
“His legal representatives and relatives are having difficulties in securing access to him in detention,” he said.
According to Adekeye, the Federal Capital Territory High Court is scheduled to hear El-Rufai’s suit on Wednesday, seeking enforcement of his fundamental rights against the Federal Government, the ICPC, the EFCC, and the Department of State Services (DSS).
He added that El-Rufai, a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is also expected to be arraigned this week over allegations that he intercepted a telephone conversation involving Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser.
The former governor has also filed a separate suit against the ICPC, alleging that the agency unlawfully raided his residence in Abuja.
