El-Rufai suffers overnight nosebleed, restricted access in EFCC custody, says aide

Muyiwa Adekeye, media aide to Nasir El-Rufai, says the former Kaduna governor experienced an overnight nosebleed while in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a statement issued on Monday night, Adekeye also said that El-Rufai was prevented from receiving a meal directly from his wife on February 17.

El-Rufai voluntarily presented himself at the EFCC headquarters on February 16 following an invitation from the agency. On February 18, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) took him into custody after he was released by the EFCC.

The anti-graft agencies are investigating El-Rufai over alleged financial improprieties during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023. In 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly indicted El-Rufai over the alleged diversion of N423 billion in public funds and money laundering, urging anti-graft agencies to probe him.

Adekeye said El-Rufai’s legal team has not been shown any remand order authorising his continued detention beyond 48 hours without charge. He added that the family and legal representatives are facing difficulties securing access to him in detention.

“One of his wives was not allowed to deliver his meal directly to him on the evening of 17th February, but was asked to pass it to him through one of the commission’s personnel. His lawyers have reported that he suffered an overnight episode of bleeding from the nose,” the statement reads.

El-Rufai’s fundamental rights enforcement suit against the federal government, the ICPC, the EFCC, and the Department of State Services (DSS) is scheduled to be heard at the Federal Capital Territory High Court on Wednesday.

The former governor, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is also slated for arraignment this week over allegations that he intercepted a telephone conversation of Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser. On Monday, El-Rufai sued the ICPC over the alleged unlawful invasion of his Abuja residence.