EL-RUFAI SUFFERED OVERNIGHT NOSEBLEED IN CUSTODY, SAYS AIDE

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HOTJIST NEWS

Muyiwa Adekeye, who helps Nasir el-Rufai with media matters, said the former Kaduna governor had a nosebleed during the night while being held by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

On Monday night, Adekeye released a statement saying that the commission stopped el-Rufai from getting a meal directly from his wife on February 17.

The previous governor of Kaduna went to the EFCC office on February 16 by himself, after receiving a call from the agency. On February 18, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) arrested el-Rufai after he was previously released by the EFCC.

The anti–graft agencies are looking into el-Rufai for possible financial wrongdoing during his time as governor of Kaduna state from 2015 to 2023.

In 2024, the Kaduna assembly accused el-Rufai of misusing N423 billion in public money and money laundering, and asked that he be investigated by anti–graft agencies.

Adekeye said el-Rufai’s legal team has not been shown any remand order authorising his continued detention beyond 48 hours without charge.

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.

On Wednesday, the Federal Capital Territory high court will listen to el-Rufai’s case about his basic rights being violated by the federal government, the ICPC, the EFCC, and the DSS.

The leader of the African Democratic Congress is set to appear in court this week, accused of secretly listening to a phone call between Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser, and someone else.