Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has reportedly been detained at the Abuja headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after several hours of questioning over an alleged ₦432 billion corruption probe.
El-Rufai is said to have arrived at the commission’s Jabi office around 10 a.m. after honouring an invitation linked to findings in the 2024 report of the Kaduna State House of Assembly.
According to reports, the investigation focuses on alleged misappropriation of loans, breaches of due process in the award of contracts, and claims that Kaduna State was left with substantial debt during his tenure in office.
He is also expected to respond to allegations that he authorised the surveillance of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
A senior EFCC source reportedly disclosed that the anti-graft agency had been investigating the former governor for nearly a year before formally inviting him for interrogation.
A source within the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) disclosed that investigations into former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai have been ongoing for about a year.
“The commission has been investigating him for roughly a year. We don’t rush to invite suspects. Usually, individuals are invited only after investigations have reached an advanced stage. We are probing the allegations raised against him by the Kaduna State House of Assembly,” the source said.
When asked late Monday night whether El-Rufai would be released, the source responded: “He is still in our custody and will not be released today.”
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale also confirmed that the former governor honoured the commission’s invitation but declined to comment further on the details of the interrogation or any potential next steps.
As of the time of filing this report, El-Rufai remains in EFCC custody. Further updates are expected as the investigation continues.
