Hajiya Asiya El-Rufai, wife of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure her husband receives fair treatment amid ongoing legal and detention-related controversies.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday night alongside El-Rufai’s second wife, Aichatou, Asiya expressed concern over what she described as the denial of access to medical care, family members and legal representatives.
Her remarks came after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission confirmed the arrest of El-Rufai’s personal physician, Prof. Bello Abubakar, over allegations of falsifying a medical visit.
According to Asiya, the former governor, who she said is managing high blood pressure and high blood sugar, has been unable to access his doctors and loved ones, a situation she described as distressing for the family.
Addressing President Tinubu directly, she recalled her support during the 2023 election campaign and questioned whether the treatment being meted out to her husband was justified.
She, however, stressed that the family is not seeking political interference in the case but is demanding respect for El-Rufai’s constitutional rights, including access to medical care, legal counsel, family visits and reasonable bail conditions.
“If he is guilty, let the court decide. If he is innocent, let the court decide,” she stated.
Asiya also raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding the detention of Prof. Abubakar and called for an investigation into a medical report allegedly linked to the former governor's health status.
She maintained that the family’s position is centred on ensuring a fair judicial process, insisting that El-Rufai should be given adequate opportunity to prepare his defence in court.
The Federal Government and relevant authorities are yet to respond publicly to the allegations raised by the former governor’s family.
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