Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Timi Frank, has alleged that a foreign doctor was secretly brought to examine former Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai while in the custody of the Department of State Services.
Frank, in a statement issued on Friday, claimed that a DSS operative informed him that the doctor, said to be of Russian origin, visited el-Rufai around 9:45pm after authorities reportedly stated that the former governor needed urgent medical attention.
According to him, el-Rufai was initially unwilling to undergo the examination but was later compelled to submit to the medical procedure.
The former APC spokesman questioned the circumstances surrounding the alleged late-night visit, asking why a foreign doctor would be invited if the former Kaduna governor genuinely required medical care.
He expressed concern over the identity of the doctor, identified as “Dr Dmitriy,” and said the development had heightened suspicions following what he described as earlier intelligence about an alleged plot against el-Rufai.
Frank maintained that the former governor appeared healthy during his last court appearance and argued that any medical treatment should have been based on his consent or at the request of his family.
He also queried what he described as the “desperation” surrounding el-Rufai’s detention, asking whether President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Uba Sani were threatened by the former governor’s political influence.
According to Frank, el-Rufai played a significant role in the emergence of the current administration during the 2023 general elections and had remained cooperative with security agencies since his return to Nigeria from Egypt.
He further alleged that despite an existing directive for el-Rufai to remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, he was allegedly transferred back to DSS custody.
While reaffirming his support for the anti-corruption campaign, Frank insisted that due process, fairness and the rule of law must not be ignored in handling the matter.
He subsequently called on the Nigerian Bar Association, religious leaders, northern elders, youths, civil society organisations and the international community to demand the immediate release of the former governor.
Frank warned that failure to urgently address the situation could worsen public concerns over el-Rufai’s safety and continued detention.
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