Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
The wife of former Kaduna State Governor, Hajiya Asiya El-Rufai has said that her husband does not deserve persecution having worked for the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 elections.
Asiya, who stated this on Tuesday in Abuja while addressing journalists alongside El-Rufai’s other wife, Aichatou, appealed to the President to allow El-Rufai to be given a lenient bail condition.
She noted that the family was not asking the President to interfere with the judicial process or halt the prosecution of El-Rufai, but to ensure that he enjoys the constitutional rights available to every Nigerian, including access to medical care, family members, lawyers and bail on reasonable terms.
Asiya while reacting to the arrest of her husband’s personnel physician, Prof. Bello Abubakar by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) said her husband, diagnosed with High Blood Pressure and High Blood Sugar level, was denied access to medical treatment.
She stated: “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?
“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.
While appealing for compassion, Asiya disclosed that the family was not seeking special treatment or political interference in the legal process.
Asiya added: “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.
“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 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.”
Asiya alleged that El-Rufai had been denied regular access to his personal doctors, while visits by relatives had become increasingly restricted.
She emphasised that the restrictions have made it difficult for the former governor to adequately prepare his defence.
“We do not shy away from defending ourselves, but we want a fair trial. We want an opportunity to be heard. Malam cannot adequately prepare for his defence while he remains in custody and has limited access to his lawyers,” Asiya stressed.
The family also expressed concern over a medical report purportedly issued by the National Hospital Abuja.
Asiya noted that the questions surrounding the document’s authenticity and the circumstances under which it was issued should be properly investigated through the consultant whose name appeared on it.
According to her, I honestly think that what they are doing is more about psychological warfare against Malam and against his family. If they humiliate us, dehumanise us and put us in constant fear, they feel that affects Malam.
Asiya further alleged that El-Rufai’s continued detention and the restrictions placed on access to his doctors and relatives had left the family traumatised and living in fear.
“We, the family, are traumatised. We live in constant fear that we will wake up and hear some bad news,” she said.
