The wife of former Kaduna State Governor, Asia El-Rufai, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that her husband, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, receives fair treatment as he faces ongoing criminal proceedings.
Speaking on Tuesday at the family’s residence in Abuja alongside El-Rufai’s other wife, Aichatou El-Rufai, Asia said the family was not asking the President to interfere with the judicial process but to ensure that the former governor’s constitutional rights were respected.
She recalled the support she and her husband gave Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election campaign, saying the family had worked tirelessly for his victory in Kaduna State.
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“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.
Asia appealed to the President to ensure that El-Rufai was granted access to medical care, his lawyers and family members, stressing that the family was only seeking justice and fair treatment under the law.
“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.
She alleged that the former governor, who she said had been diagnosed with high blood pressure and high blood sugar, had been denied adequate medical attention while in custody.
According to her, restrictions placed on access to El-Rufai by his personal doctors, legal team and relatives had left the family deeply distressed.
“We, the family, are traumatised. We live in constant fear that we will wake up and hear some bad news,” she said.
Asia maintained that her husband should be allowed to defend himself adequately 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 added.
The appeal came after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) arrested El-Rufai’s personal physician, Bello Abubakar, over allegations of making false statements concerning the former governor’s medical visit while in custody.
The anti-graft agency said it facilitated El-Rufai’s medical examination in compliance with a court directive and in line with its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of persons in custody.
The commission also stated that the Kaduna State High Court fixed July 6, 7 and 8, 2026, for the accelerated hearing of the criminal charges against the former governor, but he did not appear on the first day after requesting access to his personal doctor before proceeding to court.
The legal proceedings against El-Rufai have continued to attract widespread public attention, with supporters and critics closely monitoring developments in the case.