Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, has rejected the allegations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) that he abused medical privileges and violated a court order, describing the July 7 statement as inaccurate in both facts and law.

In the meantime, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called for fair and transparent treatment of el-Rufai, saying the emotional plea by the former governor’s wife, Asiya el-Rufai, underscores the need for justice without prejudice.

Obi, who is currently in the United States, said he was deeply moved after watching a viral video of el-Rufai’s wife expressing anguish over what she described as the treatment meted out to her husband.

In a statement on his X account on Tuesday, titled: ‘A Wife’s Tears, A Nation’s Conscience: Let Justice Have a Heart’, the former governor of Anambra State stressed that the rule of law must prevail, irrespective of the allegations against any individual.

Obi maintained that “regardless of the allegations against el-Rufai or any other citizen, justice must be transparent and fair, with reasonable bail conditions that should not be seen as punitive before trial. In a democracy governed by the rule of law, institutions exist to protect every citizen’s rights, regardless of their background.”

Warning that any perception of selective justice could undermine public confidence in state institutions and deepen national divisions, the opposition leader urged Nigerians and law enforcement institutions to uphold the principles of justice, fairness and human dignity, which he insisted remain essential to building the country he envisions.

Meanwhile, in a statement yesterday, el-Rufai’s Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, explained that his absence from court on July 6 was due to unresolved health concerns already communicated to the ICPC before the hearing. It is alleged that his personal physician, Prof. Bello Abubakar, was denied access to examine him despite prior coordination with the commission’s medical personnel.

According to the statement, the family later requested that the former governor be taken to the National Hospital in Abuja for a medical consultation scheduled for July 7. It further maintained that the medical request predated notification of the July 6 court sitting in Kaduna, and was consistent with an existing court order.

The statement argued that el-Rufai’s health condition made the journey to Kaduna impossible, contrary to the ICPC’s claim that he refused to attend court. It also faulted the commission’s account that he had no immediate medical complaints and only sought to see his physician at his wife’s request.

The rebuttal stated that the prosecution attempted to present its account from the bar without calling witnesses or tendering evidence before the court, adding that the defence objected, insisting that such allegations required sworn testimony and cross-examination.

The statement also noted that the ICPC omitted key facts, including an April 1 court order guaranteeing el-Rufai access to medical care while in custody, while denying claims that he violated any court order during his hospital visit, as no order restricted who could see him while receiving treatment.

Questioning Prof. Abubakar’s arrest, the statement demanded details of the alleged false statements attributed to the physician and called for his immediate and unconditional release pending disclosure of the allegations against him.