Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday remained in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as investigations into an alleged N432bn financial misconduct continued, with his legal counsel urging the anti-graft agency to grant him bail.
Sources within the commission disclosed that investigators were weighing the option of obtaining a court remand order to legally extend his detention beyond the stipulated period in order to complete ongoing interrogations.
El-Rufai had honoured an invitation from the EFCC on Monday morning at its Abuja headquarters, where he was questioned over financial transactions and loan arrangements executed during his administration between 2015 and 2023. He was subsequently held as questioning progressed.
A senior official of the commission, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, refuted reports suggesting that the former governor had regained freedom, insisting that he was still being interrogated.
The source explained that investigators might approach the court for permission to continue holding him after the expiration of the initial 48-hour detention period, noting that several issues linked to his years in office were still under review.
Speaking with journalists via telephone, his lawyer, A.U. Mustapha (SAN), confirmed that his client remained with the EFCC but emphasised that he had cooperated fully with investigators since responding to the invitation.
Mustapha described El-Rufai as a responsible public figure who voluntarily presented himself for questioning, adding that there was no reason to deny him bail as he was not a flight risk and would comply with any conditions imposed by the authorities.
The senior advocate declined to disclose details of the allegations or the nature of the interrogation, stating that such information remained confidential and could only be clarified by the commission conducting the investigation.
The EFCC probe is linked to findings by an ad hoc committee set up in 2024 by the Kaduna State House of Assembly to examine loans obtained, contracts awarded, and financial activities carried out during the former governor’s tenure.
The committee, led by Henry Zacharia, alleged that some loans secured by the state were not applied to their intended purposes, while the Speaker, Yusuf Dahiru Leman, claimed that about N423bn was allegedly diverted.
The lawmakers subsequently recommended further investigation and possible prosecution of El-Rufai and certain former cabinet members over allegations including abuse of office, diversion of public funds, and breaches of due process.
Following the report, petitions were forwarded to both the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
El-Rufai has, however, rejected the allegations, maintaining that the investigation is politically motivated and insisting that all funds borrowed during his administration were properly utilised for infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security development across the state.
