El-Rufai arrives at EFCC as supporters, opponents clash in Abuja

Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, arrived at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja in response to an invitation over ongoing investigations into alleged corruption during his tenure in office.

His arrival on Monday at the anti-graft agency’s Jabi headquarters drew a heavy security presence, as operatives restricted members of his entourage from entering the premises.

The development sparked tension at the commission’s entrance, where supporters of the former governor had gathered early in the day.

Supporters assembled at the junction leading to the EFCC office, chanting slogans and displaying placards bearing inscriptions such as “El-Rufai is a citizen, not a subject” and “We stand with El-Rufai. We stand for law.”

Videos circulating on social media showed the crowd chanting solidarity songs while accusing the EFCC of political bias.

Some of the supporters alleged that security personnel used teargas to disperse them, even as an opposing group was allowed to gather nearby.

The counter-protesters carried banners with messages including, “El-Rufai cannot hide behind politics, let the law catch up,” and smaller placards urging the former governor to “Answer the charge, El-Rufai.”

There was no immediate official confirmation from the EFCC regarding the allegations of teargas use.

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El-Rufai, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), had earlier travelled abroad on November 30, 2025.

It was learnt that the EFCC delivered a letter of invitation to his residence in December, fuelling speculation that he could face arrest upon his return to Nigeria.

According to aides, the former governor formally notified the commission that he would appear at its office by 10 a.m. on Monday.

Last week, Muyiwa Adekeye, his media adviser, alleged that security agents attempted to arrest El-Rufai upon his arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport from Cairo, Egypt.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Adekeye claimed that the former governor declined to accompany the operatives without a formal invitation letter. He further alleged that officials seized El-Rufai’s passport during the encounter.

On his X account last Thursday, El-Rufai described the airport episode as “executive overreach and a deliberate disregard for the rule of law.”

He had also warned that he could be arrested at any moment, noting that several of his former aides had already been detained.

Investigations into El-Rufai’s administration are reportedly being conducted by both the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The probe is said to include a review initiated by his successor, Governor Uba Sani, into financial and administrative decisions taken during El-Rufai’s tenure in Kaduna State.

While details of the specific allegations remain unclear, sources familiar with the matter say the investigations centre on contracts and financial transactions executed under the previous administration.

El-Rufai has consistently denied any wrongdoing, stating that he is being persecuted for political reasons, accusing the Federal Government and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of targeting him.