A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has granted former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, access to medical treatment while in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
New Telegraph reports that the court ruling followed an application filed by El-Rufai’s legal team in his ongoing trial over alleged money laundering and corruption-related offences.
El-Rufai and his co-defendant, Joel Adoga, are facing a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conversion and possession of proceeds of corruption, as well as money laundering under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In a statement issued by the ICPC spokesperson, John Odey, the defence counsel urged the court to direct the anti-graft agency to allow the former governor receive medical attention, specifically dental and eye treatment, at designated facilities in Abuja.
The defence specifically requested that El-Rufai be allowed to visit Mile Dental Clinic and Skipper Eye-Q Hospital for treatment.
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“In the course of proceedings, the defence counsel also made a compassionate plea urging the court to direct the commission to allow the defendant access to medical treatment, specifically for dental and eye care, at designated facilities in Abuja,” the statement read.
Ruling on the application, Justice Rilwan Aikawa granted the request and directed the ICPC to escort the former governor to the medical facilities whenever necessary while ensuring strict supervision throughout the visits.
The court further ordered that El-Rufai be returned to custody immediately after receiving treatment.
“The court stressed that all movements relating to the medical visits must remain under the strict supervision of the commission,” the statement added.
The ICPC also assured that it would comply fully with the court order while maintaining lawful custody of the defendant pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions.
Earlier in the trial, the court admitted El-Rufai to bail in the sum of N200 million with two sureties in like sum, while the administrative bail earlier granted to the second defendant was adopted by the court.
The matter was subsequently adjourned for further proceedings on the application seeking variation of the bail conditions.
