By peterside Rejoice
FormerKaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Monday honoured an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), appearing at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja over corruption allegations linked to his tenure in office.
El-Rufai arrived at the anti-graft agency’s office at about 10 a.m., in line with prior communication from his legal team, which had informed the commission that he was outside the country when the initial summons was issued in December 2025.
The EFCC is investigating allegations of financial misconduct during his administration as governor of Kaduna State, including claims involving approximately N432 billion. The probe is reportedly being conducted in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), before which the former governor is also expected to appear on Wednesday, February 18.
Brief tension erupted at the EFCC headquarters as supporters and critics of the former governor gathered outside the premises. Security personnel restricted access to members of his entourage, while groups of demonstrators assembled near the entrance of the commission.
Eyewitnesses said the situation became charged when pro- and anti-El-Rufai protesters confronted one another, leading to a brief commotion. A supporter alleged that security operatives used teargas to disperse pro-El-Rufai demonstrators while allowing opposing groups to remain nearby. However, there was no official confirmation from security agencies regarding the claim.
Anti-El-Rufai protesters urged the EFCC to conduct what they described as a thorough, transparent and unbiased investigation into the corruption allegations. Some of them also referenced his recent claim that the phone of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, had been tapped.
Monday’s appearance comes days after reports that security operatives attempted to arrest the former governor at an airport upon his return from Egypt. His passport was subsequently seized by the Department of State Services (DSS) in connection with separate investigations, including the 2019 disappearance of government critic Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata.
El-Rufai has consistently denied all allegations of wrongdoing, describing the investigations as politically motivated and aimed at tarnishing his reputation.
As of press time, the EFCC had not issued an official statement on the outcome of Monday’s engagement with the former governor.
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