FORMER Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was on Monday night still being interrogated by detectives at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja, hours after he honoured an invitation from the anti-graft agency.
News Point Nigeria reports that as of press time, neither the EFCC nor associates of the former governor had provided an official update on his status or the duration of the questioning.
El-Rufai arrived at the commission’s office in the Jabi area of Abuja on Monday morning. His media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, confirmed his presence via a social media post, sharing a photograph with the caption that the former governor had honoured the EFCC’s invitation.
Security was visibly heightened around the premises as supporters and critics of the former governor gathered outside the commission’s headquarters.
The EFCC premises became a theatre of political expression as two opposing groups staged demonstrations.
Supporters of El-Rufai carried placards bearing inscriptions such as “Say No To Injustice” and “We Stand With El-Rufai,” while chanting solidarity songs.
Conversely, protesters demanding accountability displayed signs reading “No One Is Above the Law,” “El-Rufai Must Be Probed,” and “Let the Law Take Its Course.”
Muhammad Abdullahi, spokesperson for the anti-El-Rufai group, insisted that the corruption allegations against the former governor should not be trivialised or politicised.
“The ongoing prosecution of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, remains a lawful and constitutional matter strictly between him and the Government of Kaduna State. This issue should not be reduced to mere political drama or emotional manipulation,” he said.
There was mild drama when some individuals who accompanied El-Rufai were denied entry into the commission’s facility.
Security operatives later dispersed parts of the crowd after vehicular movement in the area was disrupted, causing traffic congestion.
Responding to the protesters, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale appealed for calm, assuring them that their petition would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities within the commission.
“The EFCC recognises the right of Nigerians to lawful protest. Your protest and demands will be communicated to the executive chairman accordingly. The EFCC will do its job professionally by attending to all the issues raised,” he said.
Sources within the commission disclosed that detectives were grilling El-Rufai over alleged fraud and financial misconduct during his tenure as Kaduna State governor between 2015 and 2023.
In 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly inaugurated a 13-member committee to investigate loans, grants, and project implementation during his administration.
The committee accused the former governor of money laundering and diversion of public funds amounting to N423 billion, recommending that he be investigated.
El-Rufai has consistently denied the allegations and has challenged the lawmakers’ findings in court.
A source familiar with the EFCC investigation confirmed that the former governor was undergoing questioning but declined to state how long the session would last.
“He is with our investigators, but it is too early to determine how long he will remain there,” the source said.
Another source hinted at the possibility of arraignment, suggesting that court proceedings could follow depending on the outcome of the interrogation.
The EFCC interrogation comes amid separate legal challenges. The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed charges against El-Rufai over allegations that he was involved in the unlawful interception of communications belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
During a recent appearance on Arise TV, El-Rufai claimed that someone had tapped Ribadu’s phone and overheard him allegedly ordering his arrest. The remarks have since triggered legal scrutiny.