The wife of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, Hajiya Asia El-Rufai, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to ensure her husband receives fair treatment amid his ongoing legal battle.
Asia, who spoke on Tuesday at the family’s Abuja residence alongside El-Rufai’s other wife, Aichatou, said the family was not asking the President to interfere with the court process but to ensure the former governor’s constitutional rights were protected.
She recalled the support she and her husband gave Tinubu during the 2023 presidential campaign, saying the family had endured trauma despite their contribution to his political victory.
“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 said.
Asia urged Tinubu to intervene by ensuring El-Rufai was granted access to medical care, lawyers and relatives, stressing that the family was only seeking justice and fair treatment.
“Please, 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 and defend guarantees,” she added.
The appeal followed the arrest of El-Rufai’s personal physician, Prof. Bello Abubakar, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission over alleged false statements linked to the former governor’s medical visit while in custody.
Asia alleged that El-Rufai, who she said had been diagnosed with high blood pressure and high blood sugar, had been denied adequate medical attention.
She also expressed concern over restrictions placed on access to the former governor by his doctors, lawyers and family members.
“We, the family, are traumatised. We live in constant fear that we will wake up and hear some bad news,” she said.
The former governor’s wife maintained that El-Rufai should be allowed to defend himself properly while his trial continues.
“Let him be granted bail on reasonable terms. If he is guilty, let the court decide. If he is innocent, let the court also decide,” she stated.
Meanwhile, the ICPC had said it arrested El-Rufai’s physician after alleging that he made false statements regarding the former governor’s medical visit.
The commission said it facilitated El-Rufai’s medical examination in line with a court directive and its responsibility to protect the welfare of persons in custody.
It added that the Kaduna State High Court had fixed July 6, 7 and 8, 2026, for accelerated hearing of the criminal charges against the former governor, but he failed to appear on the first day after requesting access to his personal doctor before proceeding to court.
