The wives of Nasir el-Rufai, ex-Kaduna governor, have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to end their “family’s ordeal”.
Asiya, one of el-Rufai’s wives, spoke on the family’s behalf
on Tuesday in Abuja, while reacting to the arrest of Bello Abubakar, the
ex-minister’s personal physician, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and
Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
In a statement on Tuesday, Okor Odey, ICPC spokesperson,
alleged that el-Rufai and Bello abused privileges and violated a court order
regarding his medical consultation.
‘WE CAMPAIGNED FOR YOU’
Speaking to journalists and flanked by another wife of the former minister, Aichatou, Asiya said the family is not asking Tinubu to interfere with the judicial process or halt the prosecution of their husband.
She said they are only seeking the constitutional rights
guaranteed to every Nigerian, including access to medical care, family members,
lawyers and bail on reasonable terms.
Addressing the president directly, Asiya recalled the role
she and her husband played during Tinubu’s 2023 presidential campaign.
“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.
She urged Tinubu to intervene, saying the decision
ultimately rests with him.
“The ball is in your court, Mr. President. All these can
stop if you say a word. We believe that you are a father and we know you can
empathise,” she said.
Asiya insisted that the family is not asking for
preferential treatment.
“Please let him go free. 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 said.
“Let them give him the bail that he can afford. If he is
guilty, let the court decide; if he is innocent, let the court decide.”
‘WE LIVE IN CONSTANT FEAR’
Asiya alleged that el-Rufai, who she said has high blood
pressure and spike in blood sugar levels, has been denied access to adequate
medical care.
She said the continued detention of the former governor and
restrictions on access to his doctors and relatives have left the family
traumatised.
“We, the family, are traumatised. We live in constant fear
that we will wake up and hear some bad news,” she said.
“I honestly think that what they are doing is more about
psychological warfare against Mallam and against his family.
“If they humiliate us, dehumanise us and put us in constant
fear, they feel that affects Mallam.”
Asiya also questioned the alleged decision to deny el-Rufai
access to his doctor.
“We were told that orders from ‘above’ said Professor Bello
Abubakar cannot have access to anybody for 24 hours. Who is the ‘above’?” she
queried.
‘WE WANT A FAIR TRIAL’
The family also alleged that visits from relatives have
become increasingly restricted.
The women expressed concern over a medical report
purportedly issued by the National Hospital Abuja, saying the document and the
circumstances surrounding its issuance should be investigated through the
consultant whose name appeared on it.
According to the family, the restrictions have made it
difficult for the former governor to prepare his defence.
“We do not shy away from defending ourselves, but we want a
fair trial. We want an opportunity to be heard,” Asiya said.
“Mallam cannot adequately prepare for his defence while he
remains in custody and has limited access to his lawyers.”
She appealed that el-Rufai be granted bail on conditions he
can reasonably meet pending the conclusion of his trial.
“We are only asking that he be given the basic human rights
guaranteed by the constitution. 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.
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