Fresh controversy has emerged over the detention of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai after his media adviser accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of denying him access to medical treatment while in custody.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, El-Rufai’s media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, alleged that the former governor’s requests to see a doctor over worsening eye complications were ignored by officials of the commission.

According to Adekeye, El-Rufai had complained of swollen, reddish and itchy eyes and requested medical attention after his condition reportedly deteriorated overnight.

“ICPC officials denied requests by Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to see a doctor. He had complained about his eyes which are visibly swollen, reddish and itchy,” the statement said.

Adekeye stated that although two ICPC officials reportedly observed the condition of El-Rufai’s eyes, no arrangements were made for him to receive medical care.

He further alleged that an official identified only as Henry falsely informed members of El-Rufai’s family that the former governor did not want to see a doctor.

“However, no medical attention was arranged. Rather one Henry, believed to have been seconded to the ICPC from another agency, falsely informed a family member that El-Rufai did not wish to see a doctor,” he claimed.

The aide disclosed that El-Rufai had earlier visited an eye clinic on June 4, but his condition reportedly worsened afterward, raising concerns among his relatives.

Adekeye also criticised the anti-corruption agency for allegedly disregarding a court order obtained by El-Rufai’s lawyers to allow him access to medical treatment while in custody.

“No agency of the government is allowed to be indifferent to the medical condition of a person in their custody,” he said.

He argued that the ICPC was under obligation to respect the rights of detainees and comply with judicial directives regarding healthcare access.

The allegations come weeks after El-Rufai’s family similarly accused the commission of denying him access to his doctor and restricting food deliveries during detention.

According to the family, El-Rufai’s personal physician was previously prevented from seeing him at the ICPC headquarters despite efforts to discuss the results of medical tests conducted on the former governor.

The family also alleged that his wife, Aichatou El-Rufai, was turned away while attempting to deliver food to him in custody.

The ICPC had earlier denied the allegations surrounding his treatment and detention conditions.