The wives of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in what they described as their family’s ongoing ordeal, urging him to ensure their husband is granted his constitutional rights.
Speaking on behalf of the family during a press briefing in Abuja, one of el-Rufai’s wives, Asiya, said they were not asking the President to stop the legal proceedings against the former governor but to allow due process and fairness to prevail.
The appeal comes after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) arrested Prof. Bello Abubakar, el-Rufai’s personal physician, over allegations relating to a medical consultation.
Addressing President Tinubu directly, Asiya recalled the support she and her husband gave 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 asked.
She pleaded with the President to ensure her husband is granted the basic rights guaranteed by the Constitution, including access to medical care, family members, legal representatives and bail on reasonable terms.
“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 guarantees,” she said.
Asiya alleged that the former governor, who she said suffers from high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar, has been denied adequate medical attention while in custody.
She added that the family has been living in fear since his detention.
“We, the family, are traumatised. We live in constant fear that we will wake up and hear some bad news,” she said.
The family also questioned why Prof. Bello Abubakar was allegedly prevented from seeing el-Rufai, saying they were informed that the restriction came from “orders from above.”
According to Asiya, the family is only seeking a fair trial and an opportunity for the former governor to properly prepare his defence.
“We do not shy away from defending ourselves, but we want a fair trial. We want an opportunity to be heard,” she said.
She appealed for el-Rufai to be granted bail on conditions he can reasonably meet, insisting that the courts should ultimately determine his innocence or guilt.
“If he is guilty, let the court decide. If he is innocent, let the court also decide,” she added.
