Muyiwa Adekeye, media aide to former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, has alleged that his principal is battling a worsening eye condition while in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.

In a statement issued on Friday, Adekeye claimed that El-Rufai had developed swollen, reddish and itchy eyes but had been denied access to medical treatment despite repeated requests.

According to him, family members who visited the former governor informed ICPC officials about the condition and requested urgent medical attention.

“Two ICPC officials checked and saw the condition of his eyes. This was expected to prompt either a hospital check or that a doctor would be summoned to attend to him,” Adekeye said.

He alleged, however, that no medical assistance was provided and accused an official identified as Henry of falsely informing family members that El-Rufai did not want to see a doctor.

“The ICPC persists in treating him as if he is without rights and undeserving of a duty of care while in their custody,” the statement added.

El-Rufai was arrested earlier this year in Abuja by ICPC operatives after initially being detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

After reportedly securing administrative bail from the EFCC, he was rearrested by ICPC officials on February 18, 2026, and has remained in custody since then.

The former governor is facing allegations of corruption, abuse of office and money laundering linked to his tenure as Kaduna State governor between 2015 and 2023.

In March 2026, the ICPC arraigned El-Rufai and another defendant before the Federal High Court in Kaduna on a 10-count charge involving alleged fraud, money laundering and receipt of severance allowances above legal entitlements.