El-Rufai suffered nosebleed in EFCC custody – aide

Muyiwa Adekeye, media aide to former Kaduna governor Nasir el-Rufai, has alleged that his principal suffered an overnight nosebleed while in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a statement issued on Monday night, Adekeye also claimed that the commission barred one of el-Rufai’s wives from handing his meal directly to him on February 17, insisting it be passed through an official.

El-Rufai reportedly honoured an invitation and presented himself at the EFCC headquarters on February 16. He was later released but taken into custody on February 18 by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Both anti-graft agencies are investigating the former governor over alleged financial misconduct during his tenure between 2015 and 2023. In 2024, the Kaduna state house of assembly accused him of diverting N423 billion in public funds and recommended a probe by relevant authorities.

Adekeye said el-Rufai’s lawyers have not been shown any remand order authorising his detention beyond 48 hours without charge and alleged that his legal team and family have faced difficulties accessing him.

He added that the Federal Capital Territory High Court is scheduled to hear el-Rufai’s fundamental rights enforcement suit on Wednesday against the federal government, the ICPC, the EFCC and the Department of State Services (DSS).

El-Rufai, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is also expected to be arraigned this week over allegations that he intercepted a telephone conversation involving Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser.

On Monday, he filed a separate suit against the ICPC, alleging unlawful invasion of his Abuja residence.