EFCC Detains El-Rufai Overnight Over Alleged N423bn Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has detained former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, following fresh questioning over alleged financial misconduct linked to his administration.

Sources revealed that el-Rufai, a key figure in the African Democratic Congress, appeared at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Monday after receiving an invitation from the anti-graft agency. After hours of interrogation, officials decided to keep him in custody overnight as investigations continue.

“He is in our custody, and he is going to spend the night there.”

Insiders said a decision on his release would depend on the outcome of further questioning expected to continue on Tuesday.

El-Rufai served as governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023. In 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly indicted him over allegations of diverting N423 billion in public funds and involvement in money laundering. The lawmakers called on relevant anti-corruption agencies to probe the claims.

Beyond the EFCC investigation, the former governor has also been invited by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and is expected to face interrogation on Wednesday.

Last Thursday, security operatives attempted to apprehend him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja when he returned from Cairo, Egypt.

He later alleged that the ICPC acted on the directive of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, instructing Department of State Services officials to arrest him upon arrival.

Speaking during an interview on Prime Time on Arise Television, el-Rufai said “someone wiretapped” Ribadu’s phone, which allowed him to hear the directive ordering his arrest.

On Monday, the DSS filed a three-count charge against him for allegedly intercepting the NSA’s telephone conversation. He is expected to be arraigned in court over the matter.