The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday interrogated former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged fraud linked to his administration between 2015 and 2023.
El-Rufai, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), reportedly honoured the commission’s invitation days after his legal team confirmed he would present himself to investigators.
The development follows an earlier failed attempt by operatives to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja last Thursday.
The former governor arrived at the EFCC headquarters accompanied by hundreds of supporters, while security was tightened around the premises.
A source within the commission confirmed that El-Rufai was being questioned over corruption allegations related to his tenure.
“He is with our investigators, but cannot confirm how long he would be questioned; it is still early to know how long he will stay there,” the source said, adding that arraignment in court remained a possibility.
Counsel to the former governor, Ubong Akpan, disclosed that the EFCC invitation was received while El-Rufai was overseas and argued that the earlier attempt to arrest his client lacked justification and infringed on constitutional freedoms.
“There exists no justifiable basis for this attempted arrest or the accompanying mistreatment,” Akpan stated.
Meanwhile, two groups of protesters gathered at the commission’s headquarters. While some supporters chanted solidarity songs, others demanded a thorough investigation into the allegations.
Tension briefly rose when several individuals who accompanied El-Rufai were denied entry into the commission’s office in the Jabi area of Abuja.
Spokesperson for the anti-El-Rufai protest group, Muhammad Abdullahi, insisted that the allegations must not be trivialised or politicised.
“We reiterate our firm position that the ongoing prosecution of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, remains a lawful and constitutional matter strictly between him and the Government of Kaduna State.
This issue should not be reduced to mere political drama or emotional manipulation,” he said.
Responding, EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, appealed for calm and assured demonstrators that their petition would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities.
“The EFCC recognises the right of Nigerians to lawful protest in respect of any issue they feel concerned about. Your protest and demands will be communicated to the executive chairman accordingly. I want to assure you that the EFCC will do its job professionally by attending to all the issues raised,” Oyewale said
