Former Kaduna State Governor and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, has been taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) shortly after his release from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
El-Rufai had been with the EFCC since Monday, when he honoured an invitation to respond to corruption allegations linked to his administration in Kaduna State. After spending two nights with investigators, he was reportedly granted administrative bail on Wednesday before being taken into custody by the ICPC the same evening.
In a statement issued Wednesday night, the ICPC confirmed that Nasir El-Rufai was in its custody in connection with ongoing investigations. The commission did not provide further details on the nature of the probe.
The development follows petitions submitted by the Kaduna State House of Assembly and other groups, alleging fraud and misappropriation of over N423 billion during El-Rufai’s tenure. Rights activists and legal practitioners had also called on anti-graft agencies to investigate claims of financial misconduct and abuse of office.
Separately, the Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a three-count charge against the former governor before a Federal High Court in Abuja, bordering on alleged cybercrime offences. He is accused of unlawfully intercepting the phone communications of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
The charge reportedly stems from statements El-Rufai made during a televised interview in which he claimed knowledge of individuals who had intercepted the NSA’s private communications. According to court filings, the DSS alleges that he failed to report the purported interception to relevant authorities.
The federal government maintains that the alleged actions contravene provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, arguing that they pose risks to national security.
As of press time, El-Rufai remains in ICPC custody, while the legal proceedings continue.
