Muyiwa Adekeye, media adviser to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has raised concerns over the ex-governor’s welfare in detention, alleging that he suffered a nosebleed and that his wife was barred from delivering his meal directly to him.
In a statement on Monday, Adekeye said El-Rufai has been in custody for eight days since voluntarily reporting to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16, 2026, following an invitation by the commission.
“El-Rufai was interrogated by the EFCC and granted administrative bail, but he remained in custody while his lawyers sought a variation of the bail conditions,” Adekeye said. “His continued stay in detention is unjustified.”
The aide added, “On the evening of February 17, one of El-Rufai’s wives was not allowed to deliver his meal to him directly and was instead asked to hand it over to an EFCC official for onward delivery.”
Adekeye further disclosed that El-Rufai experienced an overnight episode of nosebleed while in detention.
“This incident has been cited by his lawyers as part of their concerns over his health and access to family and legal counsel,” he said.
He noted that on the night of February 18, El-Rufai was transferred from EFCC custody to that of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) without prior notice to him or his legal team.
“Since his transfer, his lawyers have applied for bail from the ICPC but have yet to receive a response. No remand order has been shown to justify his continued detention beyond the constitutionally permitted period,” Adekeye said.
The statement added that El-Rufai is scheduled to appear in court on February 25 in a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Federal Government, the ICPC, the EFCC, and the Department of State Services, seeking an order granting him bail.
Adekeye warned, “The alleged treatment of El-Rufai in detention raises serious concerns about his welfare and the observance of due process as legal proceedings commence.”
