ICPC Arraigns National Hospital Consultant Over Alleged Fake Medical Report for El-Rufai’s Bail

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

The charges, filed on Friday, accuse Prof. Abubakar of knowingly preparing a false medical report intended to persuade the Kaduna State High Court to grant Mr El-Rufai bail on health grounds in a separate corruption case.

According to court documents, the report, titled “Medical Report and Expert Opinion for Urgent Medical Intervention” and dated 10 June 2026, was allegedly prepared despite the doctor knowing that its contents were untrue. Investigators further alleged that the document was sworn before a Commissioner for Oaths in Kaduna before being tendered in court as part of Mr El-Rufai’s bail application.

The ICPC alleged that the consultant knowingly provided false information to mislead a public officer, contrary to the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. He was also accused of abusing his position as a medical consultant by issuing the report to secure an unfair advantage.

In another charge, prosecutors alleged that Prof. Abubakar conspired with one Aliyu Bala to prepare the report so it could be used to support an affidavit filed in favour of Mr El-Rufai’s bail request.

The commission further accused the doctor of dishonestly presenting the report as an official document of the National Hospital, Abuja, despite allegedly lacking the institution’s approval.

National Hospital distances itself from report

Court filings reveal that the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the National Hospital, Prof. Raji Mahmud, is expected to testify that the medical report was issued without the required medical examination of Mr El-Rufai and without the knowledge or authorisation of the hospital’s management.

According to the prosecution, the hospital informed ICPC investigators that it neither approved nor endorsed the report attributed to Prof. Abubakar.

The CMD is also expected to tell the court that a review of the hospital’s Electronic Medical Records found no evidence that Mr El-Rufai was registered as a patient before July 2026.

Hospital officials reportedly searched records using different variations of the former governor’s name and reviewed patients who visited the Oncology Clinic during the period covered by the report. However, no matching record was found.

The hospital also stated that the document lacked a hospital number, making it impossible to verify any consultations, treatment records or payments linked to Mr El-Rufai.

Prof. Mahmud is expected to testify that management only became aware of the report after it was presented by the ICPC during its investigation. Although the document was written on official National Hospital letterhead, he said it did not receive institutional approval.

Doctor defends his actions

In his statement to investigators, Prof. Abubakar maintained that Mr El-Rufai had been his patient at the National Hospital since 2005.

He explained that he had worked at the hospital since 1999 and claimed several consultations with the former governor were informal and therefore not officially documented.

The consultant said only about four consultations between 2017 and 2025 were formally recorded. He also claimed he attended to Mr El-Rufai on three occasions between 2025 and 2026 while the former governor was in ICPC custody—twice at the commission’s detention facility and once at the National Hospital.

However, the hospital’s management disputed that account, insisting Mr El-Rufai was only registered as a patient on 7 July 2026 and that there was no record indicating he had previously received treatment at the hospital.

Witnesses and evidence

The ICPC has listed its lead investigator, Olugbemi Osanoto, and the National Hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Prof. Raji Mahmud, among its key witnesses. A representative of the Kaduna State High Court and other witnesses may also testify during the trial.

The prosecution plans to rely on statements obtained from Prof. Abubakar, correspondence between the ICPC and the National Hospital, hospital records, and other documentary evidence in support of its case.

Background

Mr El-Rufai is facing multiple corruption-related charges brought by the ICPC, including allegations linked to the award of an N8.68 billion Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance contract during his tenure as Kaduna State governor.

He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges and has consistently maintained that the cases against him are politically motivated. The former governor has repeatedly accused both the Federal Government and the Kaduna State Government of using the prosecutions to keep him in detention.

Prof. Abubakar, who is also said to be Mr El-Rufai’s personal physician, was earlier arrested by the anti-corruption commission over allegations of making a false statement during its investigation. The case is expected to proceed before the court in the coming weeks.