Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai was detained on Monday night at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Abuja following hours of interrogation over an alleged N432 billion corruption probe.
Sources within the anti graft agency said El Rufai arrived at the commission’s Jabi office around 10am in response to an invitation and was questioned over allegations linked to a 2024 report by the Kaduna State House of Assembly. The report accused his administration of misappropriating loans, breaching due process in contract awards and increasing the state’s debt burden.
An EFCC official confirmed that the former governor remained in custody as of Monday night. The agency’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, acknowledged that El Rufai honoured the invitation but declined further comment.
The probe stems from findings presented by the Kaduna State House of Assembly’s ad hoc committee, which investigated finances, loans and contracts awarded between 2015 and 2023. The committee alleged that about N423 billion was siphoned under the previous administration and recommended prosecution for alleged abuse of office, diversion of public funds, money laundering and reckless borrowing.
El Rufai has denied the allegations, describing the investigation as politically motivated and insisting that all loans obtained during his tenure were properly appropriated and used for infrastructure, education, healthcare and security projects.
Criminal Charges Over Alleged Phone Interception
In a separate development, the Federal Government filed criminal charges against El Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged unlawful interception of the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The three count charge, marked FHC ABJ CR 99 2026, was filed under the Cybercrimes Amendment Act 2024 and the Nigerian Communications Act 2003. Prosecutors alleged that El Rufai admitted during a television interview on February 13, 2026, that he and unnamed associates intercepted Ribadu’s communications.
No date had been fixed for his arraignment as of press time.
DSS Reopens Dadiyata Case
The Department of State Services has also reopened investigations into the 2019 disappearance of Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata.
Security sources said the DSS had seized El Rufai’s passport to prevent him from travelling abroad while investigations continue. The agency is reportedly examining social media posts made by his sons in connection with the case.
El Rufai has previously denied any involvement in Dadiyata’s disappearance and said he had no personal knowledge of the missing lecturer.
Protests in Abuja and Kaduna
Monday’s developments triggered protests in Abuja and Kaduna.
In Abuja, demonstrators gathered outside the EFCC headquarters demanding accountability over the alleged financial mismanagement. A separate group of El Rufai’s supporters also assembled near the commission, expressing solidarity with the former governor.
In Kaduna, civil society groups stormed the State House of Assembly seeking updates on the legislative probe.
Tinubu Praises Ribadu
Amid the unfolding legal battle, President Bola Tinubu praised Ribadu during a visit to Adamawa State, describing him as honest, bold and committed in the fight against terrorism and banditry.
The escalating investigations and criminal charges mark one of the most significant legal challenges faced by a former governor in recent years, as the country moves closer to another election cycle.
El Rufai remains in EFCC custody as inquiries by multiple agencies continue.
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