We Campaigned for You, Grant My Husband Fair Treatment, El-Rufai’s Wife Tells Tinubu

• Asia El-Rufai has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to ensure her husband, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, receives a fair trial and access to his constitutional rights….

Hajiya Asia El-Rufai, wife of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to ensure her husband receives fair treatment as he faces ongoing legal proceedings.

Speaking alongside El-Rufai’s other wife, Aichatou, at the family’s Abuja residence on Tuesday, Asia said they were not asking the President to interfere with the judicial process but to ensure that the former governor enjoys the constitutional rights guaranteed to every Nigerian.

Her appeal came hours after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) confirmed 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.

Asia also alleged that El-Rufai, whom she said has been diagnosed with high blood pressure and high blood sugar, has been denied adequate medical care while in detention.

Recalling the family’s support for Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, she made an emotional appeal to the President.

“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 said.

She added, “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.”

Asia insisted that the family was not seeking special treatment or asking the President to halt the prosecution.

“Please, 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,” she said.

She urged authorities to grant El-Rufai bail on terms he could reasonably meet, stressing that the courts should determine his guilt or innocence.

The former governor’s wife further claimed that his continued detention, limited access to doctors, relatives and lawyers had left the family traumatised.

“We, the family, are traumatised. We live in constant fear that we will wake up and hear some bad news,” she said, describing the situation as “psychological warfare” against the former governor and his family.

Asia also questioned reports that El-Rufai’s personal physician had been denied access to him, asking, “Who is the ‘above’?” after being told the restriction came from higher authorities.

The family further alleged that restrictions on medical care and legal consultations had affected El-Rufai’s ability to prepare his defence, while also raising concerns over the authenticity of a medical report reportedly issued by the National Hospital Abuja.

Reiterating the family’s position, Asia said they only wanted a fair trial and respect for El-Rufai’s constitutional rights.

“We do not shy away from defending ourselves, but we want a fair trial. We want an opportunity to be heard,” she said.

Meanwhile, the ICPC maintained that it acted in compliance with a court order by facilitating El-Rufai’s medical visit while in custody. The commission also confirmed the arrest of Prof. Bello Abubakar for allegedly making false statements during the process.

According to the anti-graft agency, El-Rufai failed to appear before the Kaduna State High Court on the first day of his accelerated trial after insisting on seeing his personal doctor before proceeding to court.