Hajiya Asiya El-Rufai, wife of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure her husband is treated fairly while he remains in detention.
Asiya made the appeal on Tuesday night while speaking with journalists at the family’s Abuja residence.
She was accompanied by her co-wife, Aichatou, shortly after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) announced the arrest of El-Rufai’s personal physician, Prof. Bello Abubakar.
She told reporters that the former governor, who she said is managing high blood pressure and high blood sugar, has been unable to receive proper medical attention.
In an emotional message directed at President Tinubu, Asiya reflected on the role she and her husband played during the 2023 presidential election campaign.
“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 continued:
“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.”
Asiya stressed that the family was not asking the President to interfere with the legal process but to ensure that El-Rufai enjoys the constitutional rights available to every citizen.
“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.”
She added:
“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.”
Speaking further, Asiya said the family has endured emotional hardship because of the restrictions placed on El-Rufai’s access to his doctors, lawyers and relatives.
“We, the family, are traumatised. We live in constant fear that we will wake up and hear some bad news.”
She also alleged that the treatment of the former governor was intended to intimidate and break the family’s resolve.
“I honestly think that what they are doing is more about psychological warfare against Mallam and against his family. If they humiliate us, dehumanise us and put us in constant fear, they feel that affects Mallam.”
The family also questioned why Prof. Bello Abubakar was reportedly denied access, saying they were informed the decision came from unnamed authorities.
“We were told that orders from ‘above’ said Professor Bello Abubakar cannot have access to anybody for 24 hours. Who is the ‘above’?”
In addition, they expressed concern over a medical report allegedly issued by the National Hospital Abuja, calling for its authenticity and the circumstances surrounding its release to be investigated.
Asiya maintained that the limitations imposed on El-Rufai have made it difficult for him to prepare his defence adequately.
“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.”
She concluded by renewing the family’s appeal for his release on bail pending the outcome of the trial.
“We are only asking that he be given the basic human rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Let him be granted bail on reasonable terms. If he is guilty, let the court decide. If he is innocent, let the court also decide.”
Watch the video here…
VIDEO: ‘I campaigned for you, Mr. President,’ El-Rufai’s wife begs Tinubu over husband’s trial
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— Nigerian Tribune (@nigeriantribune) July 8, 2026