EFCC extends El-Rufai detention over N432bn probe

Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has spent a second night in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission amid an ongoing investigation into alleged financial misconduct involving ₦432 billion.

El-Rufai was detained on Monday after arriving at the anti-graft agency’s headquarters in Abuja around 10 a.m. for questioning. Investigators have continued interrogating him as part of a corruption probe linked to his eight-year tenure as governor of Kaduna State.

EFCC considers remand order to continue investigation

Sources within the EFCC said the commission may seek a remand order to legally extend El-Rufai’s detention beyond the standard 48-hour period allowed by law. This would give investigators additional time to complete questioning and review financial records tied to his administration.

An official familiar with the matter said speculation that the former governor had been released was incorrect, confirming he remained in custody while investigators pursued further inquiries.

The investigation stems from a report by an ad hoc committee of the Kaduna State House of Assembly established in 2024 to examine loans, contracts, and financial transactions carried out between 2015 and 2023.

The committee alleged that large sums of borrowed funds were not used for their intended purposes. Lawmakers claimed that approximately ₦423 billion may have been misappropriated during the period and recommended further investigation and possible prosecution of El-Rufai and former members of his administration.

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Petitions were subsequently submitted to anti-corruption agencies, including the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.

Lawyer insists El-Rufai cooperated, pushes for bail

El-Rufai’s lawyer, A.U. Mustapha (SAN), confirmed that his client remained in EFCC custody but emphasized that the former governor had fully cooperated with investigators.

He described El-Rufai as a responsible citizen who voluntarily honoured the EFCC’s invitation and expressed confidence that he would be granted bail.

According to Mustapha, El-Rufai is not a flight risk and is presumed innocent under the law. He added that his client had returned to Nigeria willingly and complied with all requests from investigators.

The lawyer declined to comment on the specific allegations, stating that details of the investigation could only be provided by the EFCC and that discussing interrogation matters publicly would be inappropriate.

El-Rufai has previously denied all allegations of wrongdoing, describing the probe as politically motivated. He maintained that loans obtained during his administration were properly approved and used for infrastructure, healthcare, education, and security projects.

The EFCC has not yet announced whether formal charges will be filed, but the investigation remains ongoing.