Muyiwa Adekeye, spokesperson for former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has revealed that El-Rufai experienced a nosebleed while in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a statement released late Monday, Adekeye alleged that El-Rufai’s wife was prevented from personally handing him food on February 17, two days after he voluntarily turned himself in at EFCC headquarters on February 16 following an invitation from the anti-corruption agency.
El-Rufai was subsequently taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on February 18. Both agencies are investigating him over alleged financial misconduct during his tenure as Kaduna governor from 2015 to 2023, including accusations of misappropriating N423 billion and engaging in money laundering.
Adekeye noted that El-Rufai’s lawyers have not been presented with any remand order authorizing his detention beyond 48 hours without formal charges, and his legal team and relatives are experiencing difficulties securing access to him.
“One of his wives was not allowed to deliver his meal directly to him on the evening of February 17, but was asked to pass it through commission personnel. His lawyers have reported that he suffered an overnight episode of nosebleed,” the statement said.
El-Rufai is expected to appear before the Federal Capital Territory High Court on Wednesday to seek enforcement of his fundamental rights against the Federal Government, the EFCC, ICPC, and the Department of State Services (DSS).
Additionally, he faces arraignment this week over allegations of intercepting a telephone conversation involving former National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and has filed a separate lawsuit against the ICPC over the alleged unlawful raid of his Abuja residence.