El-Rufai Suffers Nosebleed in Detention as Aide Alleges Restricted Access

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, reportedly suffered a nosebleed while in detention, according to his aide, amid growing concerns over his health and access to family members.

El-Rufai, who has been in custody following an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was said to have experienced the health scare overnight while being held for questioning over allegations that authorities have yet to publicly detail. In a statement on Monday, his media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, disclosed that the former governor’s wife was prevented from personally delivering his meal to him in detention. According to the aide, she was required to hand the food over to officials instead, a development he described as part of broader restrictions placed on access to El-Rufai. Adekeye further alleged that the former governor had remained in custody beyond the constitutional timeframe without being formally charged in court. He said the family and legal team had encountered difficulties in securing regular access to him. El-Rufai was initially invited for questioning by the EFCC before being transferred to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as part of ongoing investigations. His legal team has questioned the legality of his continued detention and the circumstances surrounding a search conducted at his Abuja residence. The former governor has filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit at the Federal High Court, challenging what he described as unlawful invasion and violation of his constitutional rights. A separate hearing is also expected at the FCT High Court concerning his bail application and related matters. Meanwhile, reports indicate that the Department of State Services (DSS) has filed charges against him, with arraignment proceedings anticipated. As of press time, anti-graft agencies have not released detailed public statements outlining the full scope of the allegations against El-Rufai. The outcome of the pending court hearings is expected to determine the next phase of the high-profile case.