Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, was on Tuesday questioned by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja over allegations of financial misconduct amounting to about ₦432 billion.
A source within the anti-graft agency confirmed that the former governor was with investigators at the commission’s headquarters in Jabi, though it remained uncertain whether he would be released the same day.
“He is with our investigators, but it is too early to determine how long the session will last,” the source said.
Financial Misconduct Allegations
El-Rufai is under investigation over loans obtained during his administration between 2015 and 2023. An ad-hoc committee of the Kaduna State House of Assembly had alleged that portions of the loans were either mismanaged or utilized without due process.
The former governor has consistently denied any wrongdoing, describing the allegations as politically motivated.
Federal Government Files Separate Charges
In a related development, the Federal Government filed a three-count charge against El-Rufai at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court. The prosecution team, drawn from the Department of State Services (DSS) and led by M. Ernest, alleged that the former governor unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
According to court documents, El-Rufai allegedly admitted during a February 13 appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme that he was aware of, and associated with, individuals who intercepted Ribadu’s telephone communications.
The charges cite provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, and Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003. The government further alleged that he failed to report the alleged unlawful interception to security authorities.
No date has yet been fixed for his arraignment.
Political Reactions
Opposition figure and former presidential spokesman, Umar Sani, described the development as politically charged. He argued that El-Rufai’s recent engagements were calculated to provoke confrontation and expose perceived weaknesses within the current administration.
Tension at EFCC Headquarters
The situation outside the EFCC headquarters escalated as pro- and anti-El-Rufai supporters clashed during his appearance before investigators. Operatives reportedly fired teargas to disperse the crowd, leading to panic in the area.
Fumes from the discharged canisters reportedly drifted into the nearby Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, causing distress among patients and caregivers, including pregnant women and children.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of confusion inside the hospital, with patients struggling to breathe and scrambling for safety. A pregnant woman who was at the facility for antenatal care recounted coughing and tearing up as the smoke spread through the premises.
Concerns have since been raised about the proximity of the EFCC headquarters to a major healthcare facility and the potential health risks posed by crowd-control measures in such an environment.
As of press time, the EFCC had not issued an official statement regarding the teargas incident.
Background
The latest developments follow an earlier incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, where El-Rufai claimed that operatives of the DSS attempted to detain him upon his return from Cairo. He alleged that the move was instigated by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) at the direction of the National Security Adviser.
Investigations remain ongoing.
Comments