Former Kaduna Governor El-Rufai Remains in EFCC Custody for Second Night
ABUJA—Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has spent a second night in custody at the headquarters of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja. The development follows his voluntary appearance before the anti-graft agency on Monday for questioning regarding corruption allegations tied to his tenure as governor from 2015 to 2023.
According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), El-Rufai was taken into interrogators’ custody after his initial meeting with EFCC officials. A source within the commission confirmed on Tuesday that the former governor continued to be questioned by investigators and would remain at the facility overnight.
The EFCC source stated that the agency is conducting a thorough and professional investigation into the allegations. “I can assure you that EFCC will do its job professionally by attending to all issues raised against him,” the source said, adding that the duration of his detention and any potential charges depend solely on the progress of the ongoing probe.
El-Rufai’s media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, later corroborated the situation in a statement. He confirmed that the former governor honored the EFCC’s invitation and engaged in discussions with investigators on Monday. Adekeye described the interaction as “frank and fruitful,” noting that El-Rufai’s legal team observed the officials’ conduct as professional. He added that the former governor remained at the commission after the initial engagement.
El-Rufai, a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, served two terms as governor of Kaduna State, a key northwestern state. His administration was frequently noted for both its ambitious infrastructure projects and its confrontational style. The current investigation centres on alleged financial misconduct during his eight-year period in office.
The EFCC’s decision to retain El-Rufai beyond the initial day of questioning underscores the seriousness with which the agency is treating the matter. No official timeline for his release or formal charging has been provided. The case continues to draw significant public and media attention, highlighting the ongoing efforts of Nigeria’s primary financial crimes agency to pursue accountability for past public office holders.
The next procedural steps will be determined by the outcome of the current investigative stage.
