By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in Abuja over allegations of misappropriating ₦432 billion during his administration.
El-Rufai, who arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi around 10am on Monday, was interrogated for several hours before being held in custody. A senior EFCC official confirmed to The Punch, “We are investigating him on the allegations against him by the Kaduna State Assembly… He is still in our custody and wouldn’t be released today (Monday).”
The investigation follows a 2024 Kaduna State House of Assembly report accusing his government of diverting loans, awarding contracts without due process, and leaving the state heavily indebted. Speaker Yusuf Dahiru Leman alleged that about ₦423bn was siphoned, while committee chairman Henry Zacharia claimed loans were not used for their intended purposes.
In addition to financial allegations, El-Rufai faces criminal charges under the Cybercrimes Act and the Nigerian Communications Act for allegedly intercepting the phone communications of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. During a televised interview, he admitted: “Ribadu made the call, because we listened to their calls… But someone tapped his phone and told us that he gave the order.”
The Federal Government argues this disclosure instilled “reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians.” Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga accused El-Rufai of attempting to “create political tension in the country, create an atmosphere of fear and unrest, and then damage the government through deliberate misinformation.”
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) has reopened investigations into the 2019 disappearance of government critic Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata. A security source revealed El-Rufai and his sons are under scrutiny, adding that his passport was seized to prevent him from leaving the country.
The unfolding events mark a dramatic escalation in the political and legal battles surrounding the outspoken former governor, who insists the corruption probe is politically motivated.