Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, is currently being held at the Abuja headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. His detention followed a marathon interrogation session that lasted several hours on Monday, centered on a massive N432 billion corruption investigation.
The high-profile probe stems largely from a 2024 report by the Kaduna State House of Assembly. According to details obtained by Reports, that legislative inquiry accused El-Rufai’s administration of systematically misappropriating loans and bypassing official due process in the award of state contracts. These actions, the report claims, left the state burdened with an overwhelming level of debt.
Beyond the financial allegations, the former governor is reportedly facing a separate criminal investigation. Sources indicate he may be prosecuted for the alleged bugging of the phone belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. This added layer of legal trouble further complicates an already tense standoff between the former state executive and federal investigators.
Insiders at the anti-graft agency revealed to Reports that El-Rufai arrived at the commission’s Jabi office around 10:00 am to honor an official invitation. While he may have hoped for a quick exit, a senior source within the commission confirmed late Monday night that he would not be released immediately. The source explained that the agency typically conducts extensive background work before summoning a high-ranking suspect, suggesting that the investigation has reached an advanced stage.
While the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, did confirm that the former governor responded to the invitation, he remained tight-lipped regarding the specific details of the questioning or what the next steps in the legal process might be. For now, El-Rufai remains in custody as the commission determines whether to file formal charges or extend his detention for further clarity on the missing billions.
