The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on Wednesday said the Federal High Court in Kaduna has granted former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, access to medical treatment while in custody.
The ruling followed a compassionate plea by defence counsel during proceedings in the ongoing trial of the former governor over alleged money laundering and corruption-related offences.
El-Rufai and a co-defendant, Joel Adoga, are facing a 10-count charge before Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court, Kaduna, bordering on alleged conversion and possession of proceeds of corruption, as well as money laundering contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Both defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Wednesday’s proceedings, according to a statement by ICPC’s spokesman, John Odey, centred on El-Rufai’s application seeking variation of previously granted bail conditions.
“In the course of proceedings, the defence counsel also made a compassionate plea urging the court to direct the commission to allow the defendant access to medical treatment, specifically for dental and eye care, at designated facilities in Abuja,” the statement read.