The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has detained former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following extensive interrogation over an alleged N432bn financial misconduct investigation.
Sources within the anti corruption agency revealed that the former governor honoured an invitation at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday morning and was questioned for several hours before being held in custody later in the day.
Investigators said the ongoing probe is linked to findings contained in a 2024 report by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which accused El Rufai’s administration of irregular loan utilisation, violations in contract procedures and policies that allegedly worsened the state’s debt burden.
An EFCC official familiar with the investigation disclosed that the agency had carried out preliminary inquiries for nearly a year before inviting the former governor, noting that suspects are usually invited after investigators have gathered substantial evidence.
The source confirmed that El Rufai remained in detention as of Monday night.
The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, acknowledged that the former governor responded to the commission’s invitation but declined to comment on the details of the interrogation or the commission’s next course of action.
The development marks a fresh twist in the legal and political challenges confronting the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, whose recent public remarks critical of the Federal Government and security institutions have generated controversy.
The investigation follows the submission of a report by an ad hoc committee of the Kaduna State House of Assembly established in 2024 to examine financial transactions, loans and contracts executed between 2015 and 2023.
Lawmakers alleged that several loans obtained during the period were not deployed for their approved purposes.
While presenting the report, committee chairman Henry Zacharia accused the administration of multiple financial breaches, while Speaker Yusuf Dahiru Leman claimed that about N423bn was allegedly mismanaged, leaving the state with significant financial liabilities.
The Assembly subsequently forwarded petitions to anti graft agencies, urging further investigation and prosecution where necessary.
The legislative report also referenced questionable payments exceeding N155m, the alleged diversion of N1.37bn meant for a light rail project and claims that N64.8m was laundered by top officials.
El Rufai has consistently rejected the allegations, insisting that funds borrowed during his tenure were lawfully appropriated and invested in infrastructure, education, healthcare and security initiatives.
In a related development, the Federal Government has instituted criminal proceedings against the former governor before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the alleged interception of phone communications belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The three count charge, filed under provisions of the Cybercrimes Amendment Act 2024 and the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, alleged that El Rufai admitted during a television interview that he and unnamed associates monitored the NSA’s communications without authorisation.
Court filings indicated that the alleged statement was made during an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on February 13, 2026.
Prosecutors argued that the action posed a threat to national security and created public anxiety.
As of press time, no date had been scheduled for his arraignment, while security sources disclosed that operatives of the Department of State Services had been placed on standby as investigations continue.
