Muyiwa Adekeye, Media Adviser to former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, of denying his principal access to medical care while in custody.
Adekeye, in a statement, said El-Rufai had complained of swollen, reddish and itchy eyes and requested to be taken to the hospital for medical attention, but the request was allegedly refused by officials of the commission.
According to him, El-Rufai had earlier been taken to an eye clinic on June 4, but his condition reportedly worsened while in custody, causing concern among members of his family.
“ICPC officials denied requests by Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to see a doctor. He had complained about his eyes which are visibly swollen, reddish and itchy. His family drew the attention of the operatives to his condition and his request for a hospital visit to check his condition,” Adekeye said.
He added that two ICPC officials saw the condition of El-Rufai’s eyes, but no medical arrangement was made for him.
Adekeye further alleged that an official of the commission, identified simply as Henry, falsely informed a family member that El-Rufai did not want to see a doctor.
“However, no medical attention was arranged. Rather, one Henry, believed to have been seconded to the ICPC from another agency, falsely informed a family member that El-Rufai did not wish to see a doctor. Henry was vigorously challenged by a family member for this false, insensitive and absurd claim,” he said.
The aide claimed that this was not the first time ICPC officials would allegedly attribute statements to El-Rufai which he did not make.
He said the former governor’s worsening eye condition had caused discomfort and alarmed his wives, who visited him in custody.
Adekeye also accused the commission of disregarding a court order obtained by El-Rufai’s lawyers to enable him access his doctors and receive medical treatment.
He said no government agency has the right to deny a person in custody access to medical care.
“The persistent problem with his eyes during his time in custody had led Mallam’s counsel to obtain a court order to enable him access to his doctors and medical treatment. Despite this, the ICPC persists in treating him as if he is without rights and is undeserving of a duty of care while in their custody,” he said.
“No agency of government is allowed to be indifferent to the medical condition of a person in its custody. The ICPC must respect the human rights of persons in its custody, obey court orders and allow them access to the medical treatment that they require.”
The latest allegation comes after El-Rufai’s family had earlier accused the ICPC of denying him access to medical care and food while in custody.
In a previous statement, the family alleged that El-Rufai’s personal doctor visited the ICPC headquarters to discuss the outcome of medical tests conducted on him but was prevented from seeing him on the ground that written approval from the ICPC chairman was required.
The family also alleged that El-Rufai’s wife, Aichatou, was turned away when she arrived at about 7 p.m. with his evening meal, with ICPC personnel reportedly saying food deliveries were not permitted after 6:30 p.m.
The family described the alleged actions as a violation of the court order and an attack on El-Rufai’s fundamental rights.
The ICPC has denied the allegations.
The post “ICPC Must Obey Court Order” — El-Rufai’s Aide Accuses Commission Of Denying Ex-Governor Medical Care In Custody As Agency Denies Allegation appeared first on TheNigeriaLawyer.
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