Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has raised concerns over the health and safety of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, alleging that a foreign doctor of Russian origin was brought in to examine him while in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

In a statement on Friday, Frank claimed a DSS official contacted him to “reliably confirm” that a Russian doctor visited El-Rufai at about 9:45 p.m., following reports that the former governor required medical attention.

He alleged that El-Rufai initially resisted the examination but was later compelled to undergo it.
“A DSS official reached out to me to reliably confirm that a Russian doctor visited Prosecution accuses el-Rufai’s family of media campaign, tenders wiretap evidenceMallam Nasir El-Rufai at about 9:45 p.m. under the claim that he was ill and required medical attention,” Frank said.

“Although he allegedly refused initially, he was reportedly compelled to undergo medical examination.”

Frank, who also serves as United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, questioned the decision to bring in a foreign doctor at night.

“If Mallam El-Rufai is truly ill, why bring in a foreign doctor at that time of the night?” he asked.
He further suggested that the development raised questions about transparency and procedure.

“Sneaking in someone under the guise of a doctor raises serious questions. How do we verify who he is? This is Nigeria, and anything is possible,” he added.

Frank maintained that El-Rufai appeared healthy during his last court appearance, arguing that any medical attention should have been conducted with his consent.

“The Mallam El-Rufai Nigerians saw during his last court appearance looked healthy and stable,” he said.

“If medical attention was genuinely required, shouldn’t it have been at his own request? What happened to the medical personnel attached to the security agencies?” he queried.

He also linked the alleged incident to earlier concerns he had raised about threats to the former governor’s life.

“Given earlier intelligence I received regarding an alleged plot against Mallam El-Rufai, the sudden appearance of a Russian doctor raises serious concern,” he stated.

Frank questioned what he described as the “urgency and extraordinary measures” surrounding El-Rufai’s detention, asking whether there was undue political pressure involved.

“The question Nigerians should ask is: what exactly are President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani afraid of?” he asked.

“Why the apparent desperation and extraordinary measures being taken?”

He recalled El-Rufai’s role in the 2023 elections, noting his support for the emergence of the current administration.

Frank also reiterated his claim that he had earlier predicted El-Rufai’s arrest after a court appearance.

“Recall that I had earlier stated publicly that Mallam El-Rufai would be picked up from the court premises — and that eventually happened,” he said.

The former APC spokesman further alleged that El-Rufai was returned to DSS custody despite an alleged order placing him under the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

He identified the foreign doctor as “Dr Dmitriy,” alleging that the examination was conducted without proper consultation with El-Rufai or his family.

“It is strange that a Russian doctor identified as Dr Dmitriy was brought in to examine Mallam El-Rufai without proper consultation with him or his family,” Frank said.

“Despite an alleged subsisting order placing him under ICPC custody, he was reportedly moved back to DSS custody, further heightening suspicion.”

Frank insisted that El-Rufai was not evading security authorities, saying he voluntarily submitted himself upon returning to Nigeria from Egypt.

“It is clear to every reasonable observer that Mallam El-Rufai is not on the run. He voluntarily presented himself to security agencies upon his return from Egypt,” he said.

Reaffirming his support for anti-corruption efforts, Frank stressed the importance of due process.

“I support the fight against corruption. However, fairness, justice, rule of law, and due process must never be compromised,” he stated.

He called on northern elders, civil society groups, legal bodies, and the international community to intervene and ensure El-Rufai’s release.

“I therefore call on the Nigerian Bar Association, religious leaders, traditional rulers, youths, civil society organisations, and the international community to urgently demand his release so he can prepare his defence,” he said.

Frank warned that failure to act could have serious consequences.

“If urgent action is not taken, there are fears that Mallam El-Rufai may either be brought out dead, released only to die later at home, or kept in prolonged detention until after the 2027 elections,” he alleged.

“Let us act before it is too late,” he added.