Former Kaduna State Governor and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nasir El-Rufai, has been detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja over alleged corruption during his tenure in office.
Sources within the anti-graft agency confirmed that El-Rufai turned himself in on Monday following an invitation for questioning. He reportedly arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, around 11 a.m. and was taken in for interrogation. As of late Monday, he remained in custody, with indications that investigators may seek a court order to extend his detention pending further inquiries.
The investigation follows a June 2024 report by an ad hoc committee of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which probed finances, loans, and contracts awarded under El-Rufai’s administration between 2015 and 2023. The committee had alleged that several loans were either misapplied or secured without due process, and recommended further investigation and prosecution. The former governor has consistently denied the allegations, describing them as politically motivated.
In a related development, the Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a three-count criminal charge against El-Rufai at the Federal High Court, Abuja, over alleged unlawful interception of phone communications belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The charge, marked FCT/ABJ/CR/99/2026, alleges that El-Rufai admitted during a televised interview that he and associates intercepted private communications of the NSA. The federal government contends that the alleged act violates provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, posing a threat to national security.
Court documents further allege that the former governor failed to report those involved in the alleged interception to appropriate authorities.
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of persecuting El-Rufai. In a statement marking El-Rufai’s birthday, Atiku described the former governor as a public servant of intellect and courage, and referred to the ongoing developments as “political persecution.”
Separately, hundreds of protesters gathered at the Kaduna State House of Assembly, demanding updates on the legislature’s investigation into El-Rufai’s administration. The Speaker of the Assembly assured demonstrators that due process would be followed and that the House remained committed to its oversight responsibilities.
Investigations by the EFCC and DSS are ongoing, with possible court proceedings expected in the coming days.
