The wives of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to end what they described as the continued persecution of their family by ensuring that the former governor is granted his constitutional rights while standing trial.
The appeal was made in Abuja on Tuesday by Asiya El-Rufai, who spoke alongside another wife, Aichatou, after the arrest of Prof. Bello Abubakar, the former governor’s personal physician, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The ICPC had accused El-Rufai and Prof. Abubakar of allegedly abusing official privileges and violating a court order connected to the former governor’s medical consultation.
Reacting to the allegations, Asiya said the family was not asking the President to halt the prosecution or interfere with the judicial process. Instead, she stressed that they only wanted El-Rufai to enjoy the constitutional rights guaranteed to every Nigerian, including access to medical care, legal representation, family visits and bail on reasonable conditions.
Addressing President Tinubu, Asiya recalled the support she and her husband gave him during the 2023 presidential election campaign.
“Mr. President, sir, I campaigned for you. I stood up and went to every nook and cranny of Kaduna State for you. My husband stood by your side. Is this what our family deserves?” she said.
She maintained that the President had the authority to bring an end to what the family described as its ordeal.
“The ball is in your court, Mr. President. All these can stop if you say a word. We believe that you are a father and we know you can empathise,” she said.
Asiya insisted that the family was not seeking preferential treatment but only equal protection under the law.
“Please let him go free. I am not asking you to tell them not to prosecute him, but we are asking you to allow him the basic human rights that the constitution you swore to uphold and defend guarantees.
“Let them give him the bail that he can afford. If he is guilty, let the court decide; if he is innocent, let the court decide.”
She further alleged that El-Rufai, who she said suffers from high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar levels, had been denied adequate medical attention while in custody.
According to her, restrictions on family visits and access by his doctors had left relatives deeply worried about his health and wellbeing.
“We, the family, are traumatised. We live in constant fear that we will wake up and hear some bad news.
“I honestly think that what they are doing is more about psychological warfare against Mallam and against his family.
“If they humiliate us, dehumanise us and put us in constant fear, they feel that affects Mallam.”
Asiya also questioned what she described as directives from unnamed authorities preventing Prof. Bello Abubakar from seeing the former governor.
“We were told that orders from ‘above’ said Professor Bello Abubakar cannot have access to anybody for 24 hours. Who is the ‘above’?” she asked.
The family also alleged that relatives had faced increasing restrictions in accessing El-Rufai.
They further expressed concerns over a medical report reportedly issued by the National Hospital, Abuja, calling for an independent investigation into the document and the circumstances surrounding its issuance through the consultant whose name appeared on it.
Asiya argued that the restrictions were limiting the former governor’s ability to prepare an effective legal defence.
“We do not shy away from defending ourselves, but we want a fair trial. We want an opportunity to be heard.
“Mallam cannot adequately prepare for his defence while he remains in custody and has limited access to his lawyers.”
She renewed the family’s appeal for El-Rufai to be granted bail on conditions he could reasonably meet while his trial continues.
“We are only asking that he be given the basic human rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Let him be granted bail on reasonable terms. If he is guilty, let the court decide. If he is innocent, let the court also decide,” she added.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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