Hajiya Asiya El-Rufai, wife of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to ensure her husband receives fair treatment, reminding the President of the role their family played in supporting his 2023 election campaign.
Asiya made the emotional appeal on Tuesday, July 7, while addressing journalists in Abuja alongside El-Rufai’s second wife, Aichatou. The briefing followed the arrest of the former governor’s personal physician, Prof. Bello Abubakar, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The family alleged that El-Rufai, whom they said is battling severe hypertension and high blood sugar, has been denied adequate access to medical care while in custody.
Asiya stressed that the family is not asking for the judicial process to be halted but is seeking the constitutional rights guaranteed to every Nigerian, including access to legal counsel, family visits, medical attention and reasonable bail conditions.
Appealing directly to President Tinubu, she recalled the extensive campaign efforts made by her family during the 2023 presidential election.
“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? 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.”
She maintained that the family’s appeal was rooted in the pursuit of justice rather than political interference.
“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.”
Asiya said the restrictions placed on family members, legal representatives and medical personnel have left the family deeply distressed.
“We, the family, are traumatised. We live in constant fear that we will wake up and hear some bad news.”
She further alleged that the treatment of her husband amounts to psychological pressure on both him and his family.
“I honestly think that what they are doing is more about psychological warfare against Malam and against his family. If they humiliate us, dehumanise us and put us in constant fear, they feel that affects Malam.”
She also insisted that her husband deserves the opportunity to prepare his defence under fair conditions.
“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.”
