A medical report on former Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has identified an antibiotic-resistant bacterium in his blood, with doctors listing possible sepsis among the conditions requiring further medical evaluation.
The findings, contained in two medical documents dated October 22, 2026, identified Enterococcus faecium, a bacterium resistant to vancomycin, in blood culture samples taken from the 66-year-old politician.
El-Rufai is currently being detained by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in connection with his prosecution.
A laboratory report issued by Cerba Lancet Nigeria showed that both aerobic and anaerobic blood cultures returned positive results after 24 to 48 hours of incubation.
The report identified the organism as Enterococcus faecium and described it as Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus (VRE).
However, the document was labelled an interim report, with the laboratory stating that a final verified report would follow. The definitive laboratory result was therefore not yet available in the document provided.
The laboratory's antibiotic susceptibility findings showed resistance to vancomycin but sensitivity to several other antibiotics, including ampicillin/amoxicillin, erythromycin, levofloxacin, minocycline and linezolid.
A separate report from ASK+ Medical & Diagnostics, also dated October 22, documented El-Rufai's symptoms, clinical assessment and proposed treatment following the positive blood culture result.
According to the report, the former governor had a history of dyslipidaemia, persistent headaches and insomnia. He reportedly presented with a mild generalised headache and dizziness, without aura or photophobia, alongside a history of low blood pressure.
The medical assessment listed dehydration, resistant malaria and possible sepsis, with a suspected paraumbilical focus.
Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's response to an infection causes organ dysfunction. However, the mention of possible sepsis in the report indicates a clinical concern requiring further assessment and does not, by itself, establish a confirmed diagnosis.
The report recorded El-Rufai's blood pressure at 93/70 mmHg and his pulse at 68 beats per minute. His temperature was 36.2 degrees Celsius, while his oxygen saturation stood at 98 per cent on room air.
The physical examination described him as being in no apparent respiratory or painful distress.
There was, however, an apparent inconsistency in the document regarding his hydration status. While the clinical history described him as mildly dehydrated, the physical examination section stated that there was no dehydration.
Under its investigations section, the ASK+ report confirmed the isolation of Enterococcus faecium, describing it as a Gram-positive bacterium.
The report listed several antibiotics to which the organism was sensitive, including ampicillin, erythromycin, levofloxacin, minocycline and linezolid. Vancomycin was listed as ineffective against the isolate.
Gentamicin was also listed as sensitive in the ASK+ report, although the laboratory document presented differing results for the aerobic and anaerobic culture sections. The discrepancy would require clarification from the laboratory before treatment decisions are made.
The ASK+ document further stated that the results of several other investigations, including a full blood count, malaria test, renal and liver function tests, fasting lipid profile, random blood glucose, urinalysis and HbA1c, were within normal limits.
Despite these findings, the positive blood culture and the possibility of sepsis prompted recommendations for further evaluation, observation and treatment based on the laboratory results.
The medical team recommended admission for observation, intravenous fluids and appropriate medication to address the documented clinical concerns.
It also advised that the culture and antibiotic susceptibility results be reviewed in consultation with an infectious disease specialist.
“Review the blood culture result and sensitivity results and, in consultation with Infectious disease physician, consider appropriate IV antibiotic therapy and admission for at least three days as advised by the clinical pathologist,” the report stated.
The document listed possible intravenous antibiotic options, including Augmentin, Gentalex, L-Flox and linezolid, subject to further clinical assessment and specialist review.
The recommendations indicate that the choice of treatment was to be guided by the laboratory findings and the assessment of the treating physicians.
The medical findings emerge as El-Rufai remains in ICPC custody while facing prosecution. The documents, however, do not establish any link between his detention and the bacterial infection or suspected sepsis.
The interim status of the laboratory report also means that the final verified findings would be necessary to establish whether the preliminary results were subsequently confirmed.
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