By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed a four-count criminal charge against Dr. Bello Abubakar, a consultant oncologist at the National Hospital, Abuja, over allegations of forging a medical report linked to the bail application of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai.
The commission accused the medical practitioner of knowingly issuing a false document titled “Medical Report and Expert Opinion for Urgent Medical Intervention”, dated June 10, 2026, which was allegedly presented before a Commissioner for Oaths and filed at the Kaduna State High Court to support El-Rufai’s application for bail on medical grounds.
According to the charge sheet, the ICPC alleged that Dr. Abubakar prepared the document despite knowing that its contents were false and intended to mislead the court.
The four-count charge includes allegations of providing false information with intent to mislead a public officer, abuse of office by using his position as a medical consultant to confer an unfair advantage, conspiracy to fabricate false information, and dishonestly making a false document purportedly issued by the National Hospital, Abuja.
In the first count, the ICPC alleged that Dr. Abubakar “gave false information with intent to mislead a public officer,” contrary to Section 17(1)(c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The second count accused him of “knowingly issuing the false medical report in abuse of his position as a medical consultant to confer an unfair advantage,” contrary to Section 19 of the same Act.
The third count alleged that the doctor conspired with one Aliyu Bala to fabricate false information by preparing the medical report, which allegedly enabled Bala to depose to an affidavit in support of El-Rufai’s bail application, contrary to Section 79 of the Penal Code.
The fourth count accused Dr. Abubakar of “dishonestly making a false document” by presenting the medical report as an official document of the National Hospital, Abuja, despite allegations that it was not authorised by the institution, contrary to Sections 362 and 364 of the Penal Code.
The latest charge is another development in the ICPC’s ongoing prosecution of the former Kaduna State governor, who is facing separate criminal proceedings over allegations of corruption, money laundering and related offences.
The commission had earlier filed an 11-count amended charge against El-Rufai, his former aide, Jimi Lawal, and others over alleged irregularities in the award and execution of an ₦8.68 billion CCTV surveillance project in Kaduna State.
The defendants have denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty.
The ICPC said its actions are aimed at ensuring accountability and safeguarding the integrity of judicial processes. The accused persons, however, remain presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.