ICPC Denies Nosebleed Claim as El-Rufai Remains in Custody

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has dismissed claims that former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, suffered a medical emergency while in its custody.

In a statement on Wednesday, the commission described as false and misleading allegations that El-Rufai experienced a nosebleed during detention.

The reaction followed an earlier claim by his media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, who alleged that the former governor bled from his nose overnight while being held by the anti-corruption agency.

ICPC spokesperson, Okor Odey, refuted the report, stating: “The allegation that he bled from his nose yesterday while in the custody of the ICPC is not true.”

El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 18. Prior to that, he reportedly spent two nights with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following his initial arrest.

Adekeye had also raised concerns about the legality of his principal’s continued detention, alleging that no court order had been presented to justify holding him beyond 48 hours without formal charges.

He further claimed that access to the former governor had been restricted, with lawyers and family members allegedly facing difficulties in seeing him regularly. According to the statement, one of El-Rufai’s wives was prevented from handing food to him directly and was instructed to pass the meal through an ICPC officer.

However, the ICPC maintained that no medical incident occurred and insisted that El-Rufai remains in stable condition.

Both the ICPC and the EFCC are investigating the former governor over alleged financial impropriety linked to his tenure as Kaduna State governor between 2015 and 2023.

The agencies said the probe forms part of broader efforts to promote accountability in public office, though specific charges and a timeline for possible arraignment have yet to be disclosed.