Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, remained in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday night, as his lawyer, A.U. Mustapha (SAN), continued efforts to secure his release on bail.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

El-Rufai had arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Monday around 10 a.m. following an invitation linked to an alleged ₦432 billion corruption probe, but was detained for further questioning.

Sources within the anti-graft agency said investigators are considering applying for a remand order to extend his detention beyond the statutory 48 hours. An EFCC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, dismissed circulating social media claims that El-Rufai had been released.

“Forget the speculations being peddled on social media that he has been released. He has not. El-Rufai is still with us and will be spending another night in custody,” the official said.

“The investigators need additional time to question him regarding issues arising from his eight years as governor of Kaduna State,” the source added, revealing that the commission had been probing the matter for about a year prior to inviting the former governor.

The EFCC official explained that suspects are usually invited only after investigations have reached an advanced stage. “We are investigating him based on allegations raised by the Kaduna State Assembly,” the source said.

Speaking to The PUNCH, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Mustapha, confirmed that his client remained in custody and was cooperating fully.

“As a responsible citizen, he honoured the EFCC invitation and is cooperating to the best of his ability. We hope the commission, in line with its integrity, will grant him bail. He is presumed innocent and has shown no intention of absconding,” Mustapha said.

When asked about the specific allegations or details of the interrogation, Mustapha declined to comment, describing the matters as confidential and best addressed by the EFCC.

The EFCC’s investigation stems from findings of an ad hoc committee of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, established in 2024 to examine finances, loans, and contracts awarded during El-Rufai’s administration from 2015 to 2023.

The committee, chaired by Henry Zacharia, alleged that several loans were not used for their intended purposes, with the Kaduna Assembly claiming that about ₦423 billion was misappropriated. The report recommended investigation and prosecution of El-Rufai and some former cabinet members for abuse of office, diversion of public funds, contract irregularities, and reckless borrowing. Petitions were forwarded to the EFCC and the ICPC.

El-Rufai has consistently denied wrongdoing, insisting that all loans were properly allocated to infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security projects, and dismissed the probe as politically motivated.

DSS Files Fresh Charges

Separately, the Department of State Services (DSS) filed criminal charges against El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja for allegedly intercepting the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

The three-count charge, filed under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, alleges that El-Rufai admitted during a February 13, 2026, interview on Arise TV that he and associates unlawfully intercepted Ribadu’s communications.

The counts include:

1. Admitting to the unlawful interception of the NSA’s phone communications.

2. Failing to report knowledge of individuals involved in the interception to security agencies.

3. Using technical equipment that allegedly compromised public safety and national security.

The prosecution claimed the acts caused “reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians.” As of the report, El-Rufai had not yet been arraigned on these charges.