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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested Prof. Bello Abubakar, personal physician to former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged abuse of a court-approved medical visit.

The commission’s spokesperson, John Odey, announced this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mr Odey said Mr El-Rufai’s personal physician was arrested for allegedly making false statements in connection with a court-approved medical visit.

He said the visit was granted to Mr El-Rufai at the private wing of the National Hospital, Abuja, with the understanding that he was to receive medical attention.

”However, photos later posted online by a political associate, Isa Kudan, showed El-Rufai meeting with Prof. Abubakar and others at the same time.”

He said this indicated the medical visit was used for activities outside the scope approved by the court, which the ICPC described as an abuse of its goodwill and a violation of the court order.

He explained that the Kaduna State High Court had fixed July 6, 7 and 8 for accelerated hearing of criminal charges pending against Mr El-Rufai, who is currently in the commission’s custody.

”However, on the first day of the hearing, the former governor did not appear before the court.

”The prosecution told the court that El-Rufai refused to be conveyed, insisting he wanted to see his personal doctor.

”The prosecution further stated that no prior request for medical consultation was made to the Commission. When asked by the ICPC medical doctor, El-Rufai reportedly said he had no immediate complaint,” he said.

He allegedly said his wife, Asia El-Rufai, who is also one of his lawyers, requested that he see Mr Abubakar, his personal physician.

According to him, following arguments by counsel, the court adjourned proceedings to July 15.

”The adjournment was to hear an application for the trial judge’s recusal and to await the chief judge’s directive on a transfer petition.

”In spite of this, the ICPC facilitated the medical visit in compliance with court directives and its obligation to respect the rights and welfare of persons in custody.

“The hospital visit took place on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at the private wing of the National Hospital, FCT. ICPC’s medical and security team conducted themselves professionally and respected the defendant’s privacy,” he said.

Mr Odey said at the family’s request, the ICPC officers remained outside the consultation room, while the attending oncologist was supposedly examining El-Rufai.

”The commission was later confronted with Facebook photos posted at 2:00 pm by Isa Ashiru Kudan, a political associate of El-Rufai, showing a meeting with the former governor.

”The pictures showed Prof. Abubakar, Isa Kudan and three others with El-Rufai at the same time he was supposed to be having a medical consultation.

”The images indicated the medical visit was used for activities outside the scope approved by the court and the Commission, describing it as a clear violation of the court order,” he said.

While noting that the commission had remained patient, professional and courteous in handling Mr El-Rufai and other suspects, Mr Odey warned that such courtesies had been abused and the commission will no longer tolerate it.

He added that Mr Abubakar had been taken into custody for making false statements and for further investigation.

He said the commission would bring the alleged disobedience to the attention of the court and reiterated its commitment to operating within the law.

(NAN)

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The Police Service Commission (PSC) has dismissed four senior police officers and imposed various disciplinary sanctions on 31 others over acts of misconduct, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening discipline and accountability within the Nigeria Police Force.

The decisions were taken at the commission’s plenary meeting held at its corporate headquarters in Abuja, according to a statement by the Head of Protocol and Public Relations, Mr Torty Njoku Kalu.

The commission said the four officers were dismissed after they were found guilty of gross misconduct, unprofessional conduct and acts unbecoming of public officers.

“It also approved a range of disciplinary measures affecting several other officers. Ten senior officers were reduced in rank, comprising three Superintendents of Police demoted to Deputy Superintendents of Police, two Deputy Superintendents of Police reduced to Assistant Superintendents of Police, and five Assistant Superintendents of Police demoted to the rank of Inspector. Two other officers were compulsorily retired in the public interest.

“The disciplinary actions also included severe reprimands for 10 officers, reprimands for five officers, warning letters for three officers and a letter of advice to one officer. The commission, however, exonerated seven officers after clearing them of any wrongdoing,” the statement revealed.

Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu (rtd), reiterated the board’s zero-tolerance policy towards indiscipline in the Nigeria Police Force.

“The current Board of the PSC under my watch will not condone any form of misconduct by police officers,” DIG Argungu stated.

“The commission will continue to uphold discipline in the Force and match all forms of misconduct with commensurate disciplinary actions. We would also continue to encourage and motivate hard work for deserving officers through our established reward system.”

The commission reaffirmed its commitment to entrenching accountability, professionalism and public trust in the Nigeria Police Force.

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The Catholic communities of Cape Ann and the wider North Shore are in deep mourning following the sudden and unexpected passing of the Reverend Father Benjamin Okwy Madu. Father Ben, as he was affectionately known to his parishioners, committed suicide on the evening of Thursday, July 2, 2026. He was 54 years old and hailed from Abor Enugu state.

The timing of his passing has added a profound layer of grief to the local community. Father Ben was scheduled to return to his homeland of Nigeria later this month due to strict religious visa regulations that cut his pastoral mission in the United States short. Tragically, he was also just days away from celebrating the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, which would have marked a major milestone on July 7.

Only a week prior to his death, Father Ben published a poignant farewell message in the parish newsletter, expressing his deep sadness at being forced to leave the community he had come to love.

“Sincerely, it is not my wish to return home right now, but circumstances beyond my control have warranted that my time in the United States come to an end,” Father Ben wrote. “My heart is broken, yet my joy remains. I will miss the home I found away from home… I will deeply miss the seaside, where I often drive to after Mass to call my family and hear about their Sundays.”

Father Ben joined the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport in April 2022, serving as an assistant priest at weekend liturgies across Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. He also served faithfully as a priest-chaplain at Salem Hospital, providing comfort to the sick and dying. Parishioners remembered him as a holy man who brought a constant, radiant smile and deeply moving, from-the-heart homilies to the pulpit every single week.

The Archdiocese of Boston and local parish leaders expressed absolute devastation over the loss.

“We extend our prayers and heartfelt condolences to his family, brother priests, and friends in Nigeria, as well as the many people Fr. Benjamin Madu ministered to here in Cape Ann and at Salem Hospital,” said Archbishop Richard G. Henning in a statement. “We now entrust Fr. Madu to the loving embrace of our Heavenly Father and we ask the Lord to bring comfort and healing to all who mourn his passing.”

Father Jim Achadinha, pastor of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, shared the collective heartbreak of his congregation. “Our dear friend, Father Benjamin Okwy Madu, died suddenly… We are all heartbroken,” he stated, urging the community to unite in prayer for the late priest’s grieving family worldwide.

A special Holy Mass for the soul of Father Ben was celebrated on the morning of Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church, where friends, neighbors, and grieving parishioners gathered to honor his life, legacy, and dedicated service.