Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has been detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja as part of an escalating investigation into alleged financial irregularities involving about ₦432 billion during his tenure in office.
El-Rufai reportedly honoured an invitation to appear before the anti-graft agency at its Jabi headquarters, where he was questioned for several hours over allegations linked to a 2024 report by an ad hoc committee of the Kaduna State House of Assembly. That report accused his administration, which governed Kaduna from 2015 to 2023, of mismanaging loans, breaching due process in contract awards, and significantly increasing the state’s debt profile.
Sources within the commission indicate that the probe has been ongoing for more than a year and has now reached an advanced stage. According to officials familiar with the matter, the invitation followed extensive documentation and preliminary findings gathered during the course of the investigation.
While EFCC spokespersons have declined to disclose full details of the allegations, insiders suggest that investigators are examining the utilisation of external and domestic loans obtained during El-Rufai’s tenure, as well as procurement procedures tied to major infrastructure projects.
The Kaduna State Assembly committee’s findings reportedly questioned whether certain loans were applied strictly to their stated purposes and raised concerns about compliance with established financial regulations. Among the projects referenced in public discussions are large-scale urban development initiatives and proposed transport infrastructure schemes.
El-Rufai has consistently denied any wrongdoing, describing the investigation as politically motivated. Through associates and public statements, he has maintained that funds secured under his administration were deployed across priority sectors including infrastructure, education, healthcare and security, and that all financial decisions were taken within the bounds of the law.
The detention unfolds amid heightened political tension, with supporters of the former governor criticising the probe as selective enforcement, while accountability advocates insist that former public office holders must be subjected to scrutiny where credible allegations arise.
Legal observers note that detention for questioning does not amount to a conviction, and that the EFCC is expected to either file formal charges if sufficient evidence is established or release the former governor pending further investigation.
As the situation develops, the case is likely to test both the robustness of Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework and the broader commitment to due process in politically sensitive investigations.
