EFCC detains El-Rufai over alleged N432bn fraud probe

Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, was on Monday night detained at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja after hours of questioning over an alleged N432 billion corruption probe.

An official within the anti-graft agency confirmed that El-Rufai, who arrived at the commission’s Jabi office around 10am in response to an invitation, was interrogated over allegations arising from the 2024 report of the Kaduna State House of Assembly.

The report accused his administration of misappropriating loans, breaching due process in contract awards, and leaving the state with a significant debt burden.

A senior EFCC source said investigations had been ongoing for about a year before the former governor was invited for questioning.

“As a commission, we do not rush to invite suspects. Persons accused are usually invited after investigations have reached an advanced stage,” the source said.

“We are investigating him based on the allegations raised by the Kaduna State House of Assembly.”

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When asked late on Monday whether El-Rufai would be released, the official said: “He is still in our custody and will not be released today.”

EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed that the former governor honoured the commission’s invitation but declined to provide details of the interrogation or indicate the commission’s next steps.

The EFCC probe follows the findings of an ad hoc committee set up in 2024 by the Kaduna State House of Assembly to investigate loans, financial transactions, and contracts awarded between 2015 and 2023 during El-Rufai’s administration.

Presenting the report during plenary, the committee chairman, Henry Zacharia, alleged that several loans obtained by the administration were not used for their intended purposes.

Speaker of the House, Yusuf Leman, also alleged that about N423 billion was mismanaged, worsening the state’s debt profile.

The committee recommended the investigation and possible prosecution of the former governor and several former cabinet members over allegations including abuse of office, contract irregularities, diversion of public funds, money laundering, and reckless borrowing.

The Assembly subsequently petitioned the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The report also cited disputed cash payments and contracts exceeding N155 million, the alleged diversion of N1.37 billion earmarked for a light rail project, and the purported laundering of N64.8 million by senior aides.

El-Rufai has consistently denied any wrongdoing, describing the probe as politically motivated and maintaining that all loans obtained during his tenure were properly appropriated and used for infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security.