El-Rufai Didn’t Suffer Nose-Bleeding In Custody, Says ICPC

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has denied claims that former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, suffered a nosebleed while in its custody.

The anti-graft agency was reacting to allegations made by El-Rufai’s spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye, who claimed that the former governor experienced a health challenge in detention.

ICPC spokesperson, Okor Odey, dismissed the allegation in a statement on Tuesday.

“The allegation that he (El-Rufai) bled from his nose yesterday while in the custody of the ICPC is not true please,” Odey said.

El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 18 following his release by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where he spent two nights.

Adekeye had earlier alleged that El-Rufai’s legal team had not been shown any remand order, authorising his continued detention beyond 48 hours without charge. He also claimed that members of the former governor’s family were experiencing difficulties accessing 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,” Adekeye stated.

The ICPC and the EFCC were probing El-Rufai over alleged financial impropriety during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023.

In 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly indicted the former governor over the alleged diversion of N432 billion in public funds and money laundering, and recommended his prosecution.