Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday spent a second night in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as investigations continue into an alleged N432 billion corruption case linked to his eight years in office.
El-Rufai arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Monday around 10 a.m. following an invitation by the anti-graft agency. However, after hours of questioning, he was detained as investigators continued to grill him over financial activities during his tenure as governor from 2015 to 2023.
Sources within the EFCC said the commission was considering applying for a remand order to extend his stay in custody beyond the 48 hours allowed by law for detention without a court order.
An official of the commission, who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak publicly, said El-Rufai had not been released, contrary to reports circulating on social media.
“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 source said.
“He is very much with us and will remain so because the investigators are considering getting a remand order after the expiration of the 48 hours allowed by law. The investigators need some time with him to answer questions arising from his eight years as governor in Kaduna State,” the source added.
Under Nigerian law, security agencies are expected to either release a suspect or obtain a court order to continue detention after a set period. A remand order allows investigators more time to conclude investigations before filing formal charges.
El-Rufai’s lawyer, A.U. Mustapha (SAN), confirmed that his client remained in EFCC custody but insisted that he had fully cooperated with investigators.
“Well, as a responsible citizen, he was invited and, true to his word, he honoured the invitation,” Mustapha said.
“As we speak, he is still with the EFCC. He is cooperating to the best of his capacity, and we hope that the EFCC, given its integrity, will be kind enough to admit him to bail because he is presumed innocent.”
The lawyer described El-Rufai as a responsible citizen who is not a flight risk if granted bail.
“He came to Nigeria on his own volition. He wrote a letter that he was going to honour the EFCC invitation, and he kept his word as a man of integrity. We’re hopeful that very soon he will be granted bail,” Mustapha said.
When asked about the specific allegations against his client, Mustapha declined to comment, saying only the EFCC could speak on the details of the investigation.
“That question can only be answered by the EFCC and not by me. I would just be speculating, and lawyers don’t do that,” he said.
He also refused to discuss what transpired during the interrogation, describing it as confidential.
The EFCC’s investigation follows a report by an ad hoc committee of the Kaduna State House of Assembly set up in 2024 to examine finances, loans, and contracts awarded between 2015 and 2023 under El-Rufai’s administration.
The committee, chaired by Henry Zacharia, alleged that several loans obtained during that period were not used for their intended purposes.
While presenting the report, the Speaker of the House, Yusuf Dahiru Leman, claimed that about N423 billion was allegedly siphoned during the former governor’s administration.
The committee recommended the investigation and prosecution of El-Rufai and some former cabinet members over alleged abuse of office, diversion of public funds, money laundering, contract awards without due process, and reckless borrowing.
Following the report, the Assembly forwarded petitions to the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
El-Rufai has denied all the allegations. He described the probe as politically motivated and insisted that all loans obtained during his tenure were properly approved and used for infrastructure projects, education reforms, healthcare improvements, and security operations.
During his time as governor, El-Rufai was known for large-scale infrastructure projects, including road construction and urban renewal in Kaduna State. However, his administration also faced criticism over rising debt levels and controversial policies.
In a separate development, the Department of State Services (DSS) has filed criminal charges against El-Rufai before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged unlawful interception of the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The three-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, was filed under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
According to court documents, the DSS alleged that El-Rufai admitted during a February 13, 2026 appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time Programme that he and unnamed associates unlawfully intercepted Ribadu’s communications.
Count One stated that he allegedly admitted during the interview that he and others unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, an offence punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes Amendment Act.
Count Two accused him of failing to report knowledge of an individual involved in the alleged interception to security agencies. Count Three alleged that he and others used technical equipment in a way that compromised public safety and national security.
The prosecution claimed that the alleged admission caused “reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians.”
The unfolding events have attracted national attention, given El-Rufai’s prominent role in Nigerian politics. A former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and two-term governor of Kaduna State, he has remained an influential figure within the ruling political circle.
For now, the former governor remains in custody as investigators continue their work. The EFCC has not yet issued an official statement detailing the exact allegations or the next steps in the case.
