From Sola Ojo, Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday, drilled former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged corruption linked to his years in office.
This was even as the Department of State Services (DSS) filed a separate criminal charge against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
El-Rufai arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, at about 11am in response to an invitation from the anti-graft agency and was immediately taken in by investigators for questioning.
He was accompanied by a large crowd of supporters to the commission’s office along Airport Road.
An unofficial but credible source within the agency confirmed that the former governor was being interrogated but declined to state how long the process would last.
“He is currently with our investigators,” the source said.
Another official hinted that El-Rufai could be taken to court for possible arraignment, depending on the outcome of the interrogation which may last for hours or days.
The EFCC’s action is connected to corruption allegations relating to El-Rufai’s administration as Governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023.
The development comes days after El-Rufai reportedly resisted an attempt by security operatives to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Following the airport incident, El-Rufai, in a series of media interviews, accused the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, of being behind the attempted arrest.
Meanwhile, the DSS on Monday also filed a three-count criminal charge against El-Rufai at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court over allegations of unlawful interception of the phone communications of Ribadu.
According to court documents, the charge was based on statements allegedly made by El-Rufai during a live interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time Programme on February 13, 2026, where he reportedly admitted that he and some associates unlawfully intercepted the NSA’s private communications.
The Federal Government claimed that the alleged actions constituted a serious breach of Nigeria’s cybercrime and communications laws, posing a threat to national security and public safety.
The DSS further alleged that El-Rufai acknowledged knowing those involved in the interception but failed to report them to relevant security agencies.
The charge was filed under provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
