Nasir El-Rufai Suffered Overnight Nosebleed In EFCC Custody – Aide

Muyiwa Adekeye, spokesperson to Nasir El-Rufai, said the former governor suffered a nosebleed during the night while being held by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a statement released on Monday night, Adekeye also claimed that on February 17, EFCC officials did not allow one of El-Rufai’s wives to hand his food to him personally.

According to him, El-Rufai’s wife was told to give the meal to an EFCC officer to pass on to him.

El-Rufai went to the EFCC headquarters on February 16 after receiving an invitation from the agency.

Two days later, on February 18, he was taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) after being released by the EFCC.

Both anti-corruption agencies are investigating him over alleged financial misconduct during his time as governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023.

In 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly accused him of mismanaging about N423 billion and laundering public funds, and called for a full investigation.

In his statement, Adekeye said El-Rufai’s lawyers have not been given any court order allowing him to be kept in custody beyond 48 hours without being charged.

He said el-Rufai’s legal team and family are “having difficulties in 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 his nose,” the statement reads.

Adekeye also said the Federal Capital Territory High Court is expected to hear El-Rufai’s suit on Wednesday.

The case challenges his detention and names the federal government, the ICPC, the EFCC and the DSS as respondents.

The former governor, who is a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is also due to appear in court this week over allegations that he intercepted a phone conversation involving Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser.

On Monday, Nasir El-Rufai filed another lawsuit against the ICPC, accusing the agency of unlawfully searching his Abuja home.