El-Rufai’s Family Protests SSS Detention, Alleges Torture, Medical Neglect
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has continued to face controversy over his detention, as members of his family and supporters staged a protest in Abuja on Monday over his custody by the State Security Service (SSS).
The demonstrators, which included Senator Lawal Adamu and close relatives of the former governor, accused security authorities of subjecting him to psychological pressure and denying him access to medical care despite existing court directives.
Speaking outside the SSS facility, El-Rufai’s second wife, Asia, said the family had been living under fear due to what she described as persistent surveillance and security intimidation connected to the case.
According to her, the tension increased after El-Rufai appeared before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, where he was granted bail before the matter was adjourned.
She alleged that despite prior arrangements concerning his custody, he was briefly moved to the SSS facility during the proceedings.
Asia claimed the former governor resisted the transfer, insisting that court orders regarding his detention should be strictly followed.
She further alleged that after the court session, he was again taken to the DSS facility instead of being returned to the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The family maintained that the repeated transfers between agencies violated court directives and demanded his immediate return to ICPC custody.
They also accused authorities of preventing him from seeing his personal doctors, despite what they said was a separate court order permitting medical access.
According to the family, scheduled medical appointments and follow-up treatment had not been properly carried out.
El-Rufai, who has reportedly spent 91 days in detention, was said to have been recommended for medical evaluation by ICPC medical personnel, although the process was allegedly interrupted.
The family called for full compliance with court orders, unrestricted medical access, and an end to what they termed psychological harassment.
Also addressing journalists, Senator Lawal Adamu argued that El-Rufai had willingly returned to Nigeria to honour official invitations and deserved bail under less restrictive conditions.
He described the situation as politically motivated harassment.
Similarly, Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives and son of the former governor, criticised the bail conditions and detention process, describing them as excessive and unfair.
In the same vein, Dr. Uche Dialla of the El-Rufai Support Group alleged that the repeated movement of the former governor between agencies and court appearances amounted to psychological torture and violated accepted standards for the treatment of detainees.
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