A civil liberties group, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has condemned alleged violations of the rights of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, calling on the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to urgently clarify claims that he is being denied access to food while in custody.
The allegation, which has generated widespread concern, was initially raised by one of El-Rufai’s wives, who accused the ICPC of preventing her from delivering food to her husband. The claim was further corroborated by his son, Hon. Mohammed Bello El-Rufai.
Reacting in a statement issued on Monday, Executive Director of MURIC, Ishaq Akintola, described the development as “deplorable, unjustifiable and unacceptable,” warning that if proven true, it would amount to a serious violation of fundamental human rights.
“We are in possession of a viral video in which one of the wives of the former governor accused ICPC of disallowing her from giving her husband food,” Akintola said.
He added that such an action, if confirmed, could suggest the use of “starvation as a weapon” to coerce the former governor, likening it to “Gestapo tactics.”
MURIC stressed that no government agency has the right to subject any detainee to inhumane treatment, insisting that Nigerians would not tolerate any abuse of power under any guise.
“It is therefore mandatory on ICPC to speak up on the matter. We need urgent explanations,” the group stated, raising questions about whether the agency intends to restrict El-Rufai’s access to food or impose specific dietary conditions.
The organisation also expressed concern over the former governor’s health, noting that he appeared physically fit prior to his detention and warning against any deterioration in his condition while in custody.
“Mallam El-Rufai must not develop any strange ailment in ICPC facility,” the statement added.
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MURIC further called on the media and civil society organisations to closely monitor the situation and demand accountability, emphasizing that silence in the face of alleged injustice would amount to a dereliction of duty.
As of the time of filing this report, the ICPC has yet to issue an official response to the allegations.
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