ICPC arraigns El-Rufai’s doctor over alleged forged medical report

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed a four-count charge against a consultant oncologist at the National Hospital, Abuja, Prof. Bello Abubakar, over allegations of forging a medical report purportedly used to support a bail application for former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

The anti-graft agency alleged that the medical report, which claimed El-Rufai required urgent medical intervention, was deliberately fabricated to mislead the court handling one of the former governor’s corruption cases. Blueprint reports

The charges, filed before a competent court on Friday, come amid ongoing investigations into multiple corruption allegations involving the former Kaduna governor.

ICPC alleges false medical report

According to the charge sheet, Prof. Abubakar allegedly authored a document titled “Medical Report and Expert Opinion for Urgent Medical Intervention” dated June 10, 2026, despite allegedly knowing that its contents were false.

The commission claimed the report was later presented before a Commissioner for Oaths in Kaduna State and subsequently attached to a further affidavit filed in support of El-Rufai’s application for bail in a case pending before the Kaduna State High Court.

ICPC alleged that the report was intended to persuade the court to grant the former governor bail on medical grounds.

Four charges preferred

The anti-corruption commission accused the consultant of knowingly providing false information with the intention of misleading a public officer, contrary to the provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The second charge alleged that the doctor abused his position as a consultant at the National Hospital by issuing the medical report to obtain an unfair advantage, an offence also punishable under the ICPC Act.

In the third count, the commission accused Prof. Abubakar of conspiring with one Aliyu Bala to fabricate false information by preparing the report to enable the filing of an affidavit in support of El-Rufai’s bail application.

The fourth count alleged that the consultant dishonestly produced a false document by issuing the report on the official letterhead of the National Hospital without authorisation from the hospital management, contrary to the provisions of the Penal Code.

National Hospital disowns report

Court documents indicated that the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the National Hospital, Prof. Raji Mahmud, is expected to testify that the medical report was never authorised by the hospital.

According to the prosecution, the hospital management only became aware of the report after receiving enquiries from ICPC investigators.

The CMD is expected to tell the court that hospital authorities conducted an internal investigation after the commission requested verification of the document.

The investigation reportedly found no evidence that El-Rufai underwent the medical examination described in the report.

Hospital management also allegedly stated that the report did not pass through the institution’s established procedures before it was issued.

Hospital records allegedly contradict report

The ICPC further alleged that officials of the National Hospital searched the institution’s Electronic Medical Records using different variations of El-Rufai’s name but found no record indicating that he was registered as a patient during the period covered by the medical report.

According to court filings, hospital officials also searched records from the Oncology Department covering the first two weeks of June 2026 but reportedly found no consultation records matching the former governor.

The hospital further stated that the report lacked essential identification details, including a hospital registration number, making it difficult to verify any consultation or treatment.

Investigators also alleged that although the document carried the hospital’s official letterhead, it did not have the approval or knowledge of the hospital’s management.

Doctor defends report

In his statement to investigators, Prof. Abubakar reportedly denied any wrongdoing.

He maintained that El-Rufai had been his patient at the National Hospital since 2005 and argued that not all consultations were formally documented because some discussions did not require official medical records.

The consultant also claimed that he attended to the former governor on several occasions between 2025 and 2026, including visits while El-Rufai was in ICPC custody and another consultation at the National Hospital.

However, the prosecution contended that the doctor’s account conflicted with information supplied by the hospital’s management.

According to the CMD, El-Rufai was only registered as a patient at the hospital in July 2026, contrary to the timeline presented by the consultant.

ICPC lists witnesses

The commission has listed its lead investigator, Olugbemi Osanoto, and the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital among the principal witnesses expected to testify during the trial.

Other witnesses include a representative of the Kaduna State High Court, as well as additional witnesses who may be summoned as proceedings continue.

The prosecution also intends to rely on documentary evidence, including statements obtained from the defendant, official correspondence from the National Hospital, medical records, investigative reports and other exhibits gathered during the investigation.

El-Rufai faces separate corruption cases

The charges against Prof. Abubakar are separate from the corruption cases currently pending against former Governor El-Rufai.

The ex-governor is facing multiple prosecutions instituted by the ICPC over allegations bordering on abuse of office, procurement violations and alleged financial misconduct during his tenure in Kaduna State.

Among the cases is an alleged N8.68 billion Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance contract fraud, alongside other charges before the Kaduna State High Court.

El-Rufai has consistently denied all allegations, pleaded not guilty to the charges and accused both the Federal Government and the Kaduna State Government of orchestrating politically motivated prosecutions against him.

The latest case against his personal doctor adds another dimension to the legal proceedings, with the court expected to determine whether the disputed medical report was genuinely issued in accordance with professional and institutional procedures or deliberately fabricated to influence judicial proceedings.