Hajiya Asiya El-Rufai, wife of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday night made an emotional appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to ensure her husband is treated fairly while in detention
Flanked by her co-wife, Aichatou, Asiya spoke with journalists at their Abuja residence hours after the ICPC confirmed the arrest of El-Rufai’s personal physician, Prof. Bello Abubakar.
The family said the former governor, who is battling high blood pressure and high blood sugar, has been denied access to medical care.
In a direct message to the President, Asiya recalled the role she and her husband played in Tinubu’s 2023 election victory.
“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.
“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.”
Asiya stressed that the family was not seeking interference with the judicial process, only the basic rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
“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.”
She said the restrictions on El-Rufai’s access to doctors, lawyers and family members have left them traumatized.
“We, the family, are traumatised. We live in constant fear that we will wake up and hear some bad news,” she said.
She described the treatment as “psychological warfare” aimed at humiliating the family.
“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.”
The family also questioned the reported denial of access to Prof. Bello, saying they were told “orders from ‘above’” barred him for 24 hours.
“We were told that orders from ‘above’ said Professor Bello Abubakar cannot have access to anybody for 24 hours. Who is the ‘above’?” Asiya asked.
They further raised concerns over a medical report allegedly issued by the National Hospital Abuja, calling for an investigation into its authenticity and how it was obtained.
According to them, the limitations have made it difficult for El-Rufai to prepare his defense.
“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,” she said.
The family appealed to the court to grant El-Rufai bail on terms he can meet pending 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,” Asiya added
