…As of late Monday, El-Rufai remained in custody, with officials confirming he would not be released that day.
ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | Former Nasir El-Rufai was taken into custody on Monday night at the Abuja headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission following several hours of questioning over an alleged N432 billion corruption investigation.
El-Rufai, a prominent member of the African Democratic Congress, is also facing possible prosecution over claims that he was involved in the unlawful interception of the phone communications of National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Sources within the anti-graft agency disclosed that the former governor arrived at the commission’s Jabi office around 10 a.m. in response to an invitation and was interrogated over allegations stemming from a 2024 report by the Kaduna State House of Assembly. The report accused his administration of mismanaging loans, breaching due process in awarding contracts, and leaving the state with significant debt.
A senior EFCC official stated that the investigation has been ongoing for about a year, noting that suspects are usually invited only after inquiries have reached an advanced stage. As of late Monday, El-Rufai remained in custody, with officials confirming he would not be released that day.
The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed that El-Rufai honoured the invitation but declined to provide further details. His detention marks a significant escalation in the legal challenges confronting the former Federal Capital Territory minister, particularly amid his recent criticisms of the Federal Government and security agencies.
The probe is linked to findings by an ad hoc committee of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, presented by its chairman, Henry Zacharia, and received by Speaker Yusuf Dahiru Leman. The committee alleged that loans secured between 2015 and 2023 were largely misapplied. Lawmakers claimed about N423 billion was siphoned during his tenure and recommended his investigation and prosecution, alongside key cabinet members, over alleged abuse of office, contract irregularities, fund diversion, money laundering, and reckless borrowing.
The report also cited questionable cash payments and contracts exceeding N155 million, the alleged diversion of N1.37 billion meant for a light rail project, and the purported laundering of N64.8 million by senior aides. El-Rufai has denied all allegations, insisting that loans obtained under his administration were lawfully appropriated and invested in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has filed criminal charges against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged unlawful interception of Ribadu’s phone communications. The three-count charge, filed under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, referenced comments he allegedly made during an appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme on February 13, 2026.
In the interview, El-Rufai reportedly suggested that he became aware of a plan to arrest him through a leaked conversation from the NSA’s phone, admitting that such interception was technically illegal while alleging that similar practices were common within government circles.
Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga accused El-Rufai of attempting to stir political tension and distract from corruption allegations in Kaduna State. Under Nigerian law, unauthorised interception of communications carries severe penalties, including imprisonment and fines.
In a related development, the Department of State Services has reopened its investigation into the 2019 disappearance of Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, and is reportedly examining El-Rufai and his sons in connection with the case. Security sources said his passport was recently seized at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to prevent him from leaving the country while investigations continue.
