Breaking News: EFCC Detains El-Rufai Over Alleged N432bn Fraud
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was on Monday night detained at the Abuja headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following hours of interrogation over an alleged N432 billion corruption probe.
El-Rufai, who reportedly arrived at the anti-graft agency’s Jabi office around 10:00 a.m. in response to an invitation, was grilled by investigators over allegations stemming from the 2024 report of the Kaduna State House of Assembly. The report accused his administration of misappropriating loans, breaching due process in contract awards, and plunging Kaduna State into significant debt.
Sources within the EFCC disclosed that the investigation into the former governor has been ongoing for about a year.
“As a commission, we don’t just rush to invite suspects. Persons accused are always invited after investigations have reached an advanced stage,” a senior official within the commission revealed.
The source further confirmed that the former governor remained in custody as of late Monday night, adding, “He is still in our custody and wouldn’t be released today.”
Beyond the alleged financial misconduct, El-Rufai—now a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress is also expected to face criminal prosecution over claims that he was involved in the alleged bugging of the phone of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The EFCC has yet to release an official statement detailing the specific charges or when the former governor may be formally arraigned in court.