The wives of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in what they described as their family's "ordeal," urging him to ensure their husband is granted his constitutional rights while facing trial.

The appeal was made on Tuesday in Abuja by Asiya el-Rufai, who spoke on behalf of the family alongside another wife, Aichatou, following the arrest of Professor Bello Abubakar, the former governor's personal physician, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The ICPC had alleged that el-Rufai and Professor Abubakar abused official privileges and violated a court order relating to the former governor's medical consultation. The allegations were contained in a statement issued by the Commission's spokesperson, Okor Odey.

Addressing journalists, Asiya clarified that the family was not asking President Tinubu to interfere with the judicial process or halt the prosecution of the former governor. Rather, she said they were only seeking the constitutional rights guaranteed to every Nigerian, including access to medical care, family members, legal counsel, and bail on reasonable terms.

Speaking directly to the President, she recalled the support she and her husband gave during Tinubu's 2023 presidential campaign.

"Mr. President, I campaigned for you. I travelled to every nook and cranny of Kaduna State to canvass support for your election. My husband stood firmly by your side. Is this what our family deserves?" she asked.

Asiya urged the President to intervene, expressing confidence that he could influence the situation.

"The ball is in your court, Mr. President. All these can stop if you say a word. We believe you are a father and that you can empathise with what our family is going through," she said.

She stressed that the family was not asking for preferential treatment but for fairness and respect for the rule of law.

"Please let him go free. I am not asking you to stop his prosecution. We are only asking that he be allowed to enjoy the basic human rights guaranteed by the Constitution you swore to uphold and defend," she said.

"Grant him bail on conditions he can reasonably meet. If he is guilty, let the court decide. If he is innocent, let the court also decide."

Family Raises Health Concerns

Asiya also expressed concern over the former governor's health, alleging that he suffers from high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar levels but has been denied adequate medical attention.

She said the continued detention of el-Rufai and the restrictions placed on access to his doctors and family members had left the family living in fear.

"We, the family, are traumatised. We live in constant fear that we may wake up one day to hear devastating news," she said.

"I honestly believe what is happening is psychological warfare against Mallam and his family. They believe that by humiliating us, dehumanising us, and keeping us in constant fear, they can weaken him."

She also questioned the alleged directive preventing Professor Bello Abubakar from seeing the former governor.

"We were told that orders from 'above' instructed that Professor Bello Abubakar should not have access to anybody for 24 hours. Who exactly is the 'above'?" she queried.

Call for Fair Trial

The family further alleged that access to the former governor by relatives has become increasingly restricted.

The women also questioned the authenticity and circumstances surrounding a medical report reportedly issued by the National Hospital, Abuja, calling for an investigation through the consultant whose name appeared on the document.

According to Asiya, the restrictions have made it difficult for el-Rufai to adequately prepare his defence.

"We are not afraid to defend ourselves, but we want a fair trial. We want the opportunity to be heard," she said.

"Mallam cannot properly prepare for his defence while he remains in custody and has limited access to his lawyers."

She concluded by appealing for the former governor to be granted bail on reasonable terms pending the determination of his case.

"We are only asking that he be accorded the basic human rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Let him be granted bail on reasonable conditions. If he is guilty, let the court decide. If he is innocent, let the court also decide," she said.