• Anti-graft agency Moves to Secure Court Order, Detain Him Indefinitely
The political walls appear to be closing in on the immediate-past governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. Daily Sun has gathered that the former powerhouse is currently embroiled in a high-stakes confrontation with the Federal Government, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Department of State Services (DSS).
The multi-front legal and security offensive against El-Rufai is expected to linger for months. Once a kingmaker who helped propel President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to power, El-Rufai now faces a grueling battle over allegations of massive financial corruption, cybercrime, and threats to national security.
At the heart of the EFCC’s interrogation is the alleged misappropriation of N432 billion during El-Rufai’s eight-year tenure in Kaduna. This follows a damning report by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which indicted his administration for unjustified borrowing that sent the state’s debt profile skyrocketing.
Sources close to the investigation reveal that the probe also covers the award of contracts without due process and the suspected diversion of funds originally earmarked for the Kaduna Light Rail project.
As of Tuesday, the 48-hour mandatory detention period permitted by law is nearing its end. However, Daily Sun has reliably gathered from multiple sources within the commission that the EFCC is making frantic legal moves to secure a court order to detain El-Rufai indefinitely.
Meanwhile, El-Rufai’s legal team is reportedly working around the clock to counter the EFCC’s plans and secure his administrative bail.
”El-Rufai will likely get the treatment of the former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami,” a credible source familiar with the development told Daily Sun.
“The mandatory 48 hours expires on Wednesday, but the EFCC is not ready to let him go. The cases against him are too grave, and besides the financial crimes, the DSS is handling a separate matter involving national security.”
Compounding his woes, the Federal Government has filed a three-count criminal charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026) against the former governor. The charges stem from an interview where El-Rufai allegedly admitted to intercepting the phone communications of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
Under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act 2024, El-Rufai stands accused of “unlawful interception” and using technical equipment to compromise national security.
