Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was detained on Monday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja over allegations linked to a multi-billion naira corruption probe. He reportedly arrived at the commission’s Jabi headquarters around 10 a.m. in response to an invitation and was interrogated for several hours before being held in custody. Sources within the agency said he would not be released the same day.
The investigation is based on a 2024 report by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which accused El-Rufai’s administration between 2015 and 2023 of financial mismanagement, irregular loan utilisation, and violations of due process in contract awards. An ad hoc committee set up by the Assembly reviewed loans and contracts awarded during his tenure and alleged that several funds were not applied for the purposes for which they were obtained.
During plenary last year, the committee’s findings were presented, with lawmakers alleging that over N423bn was siphoned under the former governor’s administration, leaving Kaduna State with significant debt liabilities. The report also referenced disputed payments and contracts worth over N155m, the alleged diversion of N1.37bn earmarked for a light rail project, and claims of N64.8m in suspected money laundering involving senior aides. Following the report, the Assembly petitioned anti-corruption agencies to investigate and prosecute those involved.
El-Rufai has denied the allegations, describing the probe as politically motivated. He has maintained that loans secured during his tenure were properly appropriated and used for infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security improvements across the state.
In a separate development, the Federal Government has filed criminal charges against El-Rufai before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the alleged unlawful interception of the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. The charges stem from statements he allegedly made during a television appearance on Arise TV, where he claimed to have learned of an alleged plan to arrest him through a monitored conversation.
The charges, filed under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024 and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, accuse him of admitting to intercepting communications and failing to report such actions to security authorities. Prosecutors argue that the alleged act compromised national security and caused public concern. No date has been fixed for his arraignment as of press time.
The developments mark a significant escalation in the legal and political challenges facing the former governor, particularly amid his recent public criticisms of the Federal Government and security agencies.
