El-Rufai's wife urges Tinubu to ensure her husband receives just treatment in return for their support.

Hajiya Asia El-Rufai, the wife of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has made a heartfelt appeal to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to ensure her husband is treated fairly, given the trauma their family has endured despite their unwavering support for the President during the 2023 election campaign.

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Asia, speaking alongside El-Rufai's other wife, Aichatou, at their Abuja residence, emphasized that they are not seeking presidential interference in the ongoing trial, but rather a guarantee that the former governor's constitutional rights as a Nigerian citizen are respected and upheld.

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The appeal came on the heels of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission confirming the arrest of El-Rufai's personal physician, Prof. Bello Abubakar, over alleged false statements linked to the former governor's medical visit while in custody.

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Asia also claimed that her husband, who has been diagnosed with high blood pressure and high blood sugar, has been denied access to adequate medical treatment, further exacerbating the family's distress.

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Recalling their role in Tinubu's presidential campaign, Asia stated, "Mr President, Sir, I campaigned for you, traversing every corner of Kaduna State in your support, and my husband stood by your side, so I ask, is this the treatment our family deserves?"

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She implored the President, saying, "The ball is in your court, Mr President, and all this can cease if you utter a word, for we believe you are a father who can empathize with our situation."

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Asia reiterated that the family is not seeking special treatment or political interference in the legal process, but rather the basic human rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

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She pleaded, "Please, I am not asking you to halt the prosecution, but to allow him the fundamental human rights that the Constitution you swore to uphold guarantees, including granting him bail that he can afford, and let the court decide his fate, whether guilty or innocent."

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The family alleged that El-Rufai's continued detention and the restrictions on access to doctors, relatives, and lawyers have left them traumatized, living in constant fear of receiving devastating news.

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Asia expressed her concerns, saying, "We, the family, are traumatized, and I honestly think that what they are doing is more about psychological warfare against Mallam and his family, aiming to humiliate, dehumanize, and instill constant fear in us."

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She questioned the decision to deny El-Rufai's personal physician access to him, asking, "We were told that orders from 'above' stated Professor Bello Abubakar cannot have access to anybody for 24 hours, but who is this 'above'?"

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The family further alleged that El-Rufai has been denied regular access to his personal doctors, and visits from relatives have become increasingly restricted, raising concerns about a medical report issued by the National Hospital Abuja, which they believe should be investigated.

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According to Asia, these restrictions have also hindered the former governor's ability to prepare his defense, as he cannot adequately prepare while in custody with limited access to his lawyers.

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She reiterated the family's appeal for El-Rufai to be granted bail on reasonable terms, pending the conclusion of his trial, stressing, "We do not shy away from defending ourselves, but we want a fair trial and an opportunity to be heard."

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The appeal followed a statement by the ICPC alleging that El-Rufai breached the conditions of a court-approved medical visit while in the commission's custody, and the subsequent arrest of his personal physician, Prof. Bello Abubakar, for allegedly making false statements.

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The anti-graft agency stated that it had facilitated El-Rufai's medical visit in compliance with a court directive and its obligation to respect the rights and welfare of persons in custody, and that the Kaduna State High Court had fixed July 6, 7, and 8, 2026, for the accelerated hearing of criminal charges against the former governor.