Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, spent a second consecutive night in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as his legal team, led by A.U Mustapha (SAN), continues to press for his release on bail.
Sources indicate that the EFCC may seek a remand order to extend El-Rufai’s detention, allowing investigators additional time to question him regarding allegations under scrutiny. El-Rufai arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja at around 10 a.m. on Monday for questioning related to an alleged N432 billion corruption probe. He was subsequently detained for further interrogation.
An EFCC official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the agency is considering obtaining a remand order after the legal 48-hour detention period expires. Forget the speculation on social media; he has not been released. El-Rufai is still in our custody and will remain so while investigators consider a remand order. More time is needed for him to respond to questions about his eight-year tenure as Kaduna State governor, the official stated.
El-Rufai’s counsel, Mustapha, affirmed in a phone interview with The PUNCH on Tuesday that his client remains cooperative. He is a responsible citizen who honored the EFCC’s invitation and is cooperating fully. We hope the commission, in line with its integrity, will grant him bail. He is not a flight risk and is presumed innocent, Mustapha said. He also emphasized El-Rufai’s voluntary appearance, noting, He wrote a letter indicating his intent to honor the invitation and did so as promised.
When asked about the specific allegations, Mustapha declined to comment, stating, “That question can only be answered by the EFCC. It would be speculative for me to comment, and lawyers avoid speculation. He also refused to disclose details about the interrogation, citing confidentiality.
The EFCC’s investigation stems from a report by an ad hoc committee of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, established in 2024, which reviewed the state’s finances, loans, and contract awards from 2015 to 2023. The committee, chaired by Henry Zacharia, alleged that several loans acquired during El-Rufai’s administration were not used for their intended purposes. The Speaker, Yusuf Dahiru Leman, claimed that approximately N423 billion was siphoned under El-Rufai’s leadership. The committee recommended prosecution for alleged abuse of office, diversion of public funds, money laundering, improper contract awards, and reckless borrowing, forwarding petitions to both the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
El-Rufai has denied all allegations, describing the probe as politically motivated and insisting that all loans during his tenure were properly allocated to infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security.
An EFCC source revealed that the commission’s investigation has been ongoing for about a year, stating, We do not invite suspects until investigations are at an advanced stage.
Additional Legal Troubles
Separately, the Department of State Services (DSS) has filed criminal charges against El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The charges relate to the alleged unlawful interception of phone communications belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. The three-count charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026) was filed under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
According to the charge sheet, El-Rufai allegedly admitted during a February 13, 2026, appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time Programme that he and unnamed associates unlawfully intercepted Ribadu’s communications. The charges include admitting to the interception, failing to report knowledge of the act, and using technical equipment that compromised public safety and national security. The prosecution claims these actions caused “reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians.
El-Rufai has not yet been arraigned on these charges.
