- Asiya El Rufai appealed to Tinubu over her husband’s detention
- She requested bail and access to medical care and lawyers
- The family insisted they only want a fair trial
The wife of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El Rufai, Hajiya Asiya El Rufai, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to ensure that her husband receives what she described as fair and humane treatment while in detention.
Addressing journalists at the family residence in Abuja on Tuesday alongside El Rufai’s other wife, Eko Hot Blog reports that Aichatou, Asiya stressed that the family was not asking the President to interfere with the legal proceedings or stop the ongoing prosecution.
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Instead, she appealed for the protection of the former governor’s constitutional rights, including access to medical care, legal counsel, family members and bail under reasonable conditions.
According to her, the President has the authority to ensure that due process is respected by all relevant institutions.
She recalled supporting Tinubu’s presidential campaign in 2023, saying both she and her husband worked tirelessly to mobilise support across Kaduna State.
“As a family, we stood by you during the election. We travelled across Kaduna State to canvass support because we believed in your leadership. We hope you will now ensure justice is done,” she said.
Her appeal follows the recent arrest of El Rufai’s personal physician, Professor Bello Abubakar, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
Asiya alleged that her husband has also been denied access to proper medical attention despite reportedly suffering from high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar levels.
She appealed to the President to ensure that El Rufai is granted access to healthcare and allowed to defend himself in court under conditions that respect his constitutional rights.
She maintained that the family was only asking for a fair trial, insisting that the courts should ultimately determine whether the former governor is guilty or innocent.
The former first lady said the prolonged detention and restrictions placed on visits by family members, lawyers and doctors had caused emotional distress to the family.
According to her, they now live with constant anxiety over his wellbeing and fear receiving bad news at any moment.
She further described the situation as psychological pressure aimed not only at her husband but also at members of his family.
Asiya also questioned reports that her husband’s personal physician had been prevented from seeing him on the instruction of unnamed authorities.
She expressed concern over what she described as increasing restrictions on access to El Rufai, arguing that the limitations make it difficult for him to properly prepare his legal defence.
Reiterating the family’s position, she said they were not seeking special treatment but only requesting that the former governor be afforded the rights guaranteed to every Nigerian under the Constitution, including a fair hearing, access to legal representation and bail on reasonable terms.
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