Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, spent Monday night in detention at the Abuja headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission following an extended interrogation linked to a sprawling corruption investigation estimated at ₦432 billion. The former governor arrived at the commission’s Jabi office early in the day after responding to a formal invitation but was held back after several hours of questioning, signalling a significant deepening of the probe into his years in office. By late Monday night, officials confirmed that he remained in custody, with no immediate indication of when he would be released.
El-Rufai, who is now a prominent figure within the African Democratic Congress, is also expected to contend with possible criminal charges connected to allegations that he authorised or was involved in the unlawful surveillance of the phone of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. The allegation, which has circulated within political and security circles for months, adds a sensitive national security dimension to the corruption case already hanging over the former governor and has intensified public interest in the EFCC’s next steps.
Sources within the anti-graft agency disclosed that the interrogation draws heavily from the 2024 report of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which accused the El-Rufai administration of wide-ranging financial misconduct. According to the report, the former government allegedly mismanaged substantial foreign and domestic loans, bypassed due process in the award of contracts, and saddled the state with an unsustainable debt burden. A senior EFCC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, explained that the commission’s approach was deliberate and methodical, stressing that suspects are typically invited only after investigators believe they have gathered sufficient evidence to justify detailed questioning.
“The commission has been investigating him for about a year now,” the source said, noting that EFCC procedures require extensive background work before confronting high-profile figures. “We don’t rush to invite suspects. Those accused usually come in at the final stage, after investigations have progressed significantly. What we are looking into are the allegations made by the Kaduna State Assembly against his administration.” When asked late into the night whether El-Rufai might be released, the same source responded tersely that he remained in custody and would not regain his freedom that day.
The EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, later confirmed that the former governor had honoured the commission’s invitation but stopped short of providing details about the interrogation or outlining the commission’s next line of action. The silence has only fuelled speculation about possible arraignment and the political implications of the case.
Alleged N423bn misappropriation
The ongoing interrogation of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is anchored on the findings of an investigative report produced by the Kaduna State House of Assembly. The report was compiled by an ad hoc committee set up in 2024 to scrutinise the state’s finances, external and domestic loans, and the award of contracts between 2015 and 2023, the period covering El-Rufai’s eight-year administration. Lawmakers said the inquiry was necessitated by mounting concerns over Kaduna State’s debt profile and allegations that borrowed funds were not translating into commensurate development outcomes on the ground.
Presenting the committee’s findings during a plenary session last year, the chairman of the panel, Henry Zacharia, alleged that a substantial portion of the loans secured by the El-Rufai government were allegedly diverted from their stated purposes. According to him, documents reviewed by the committee suggested that funds earmarked for specific infrastructural and developmental projects could not be properly accounted for, raising red flags about financial discipline and adherence to appropriation laws during the period under review. He told lawmakers that the scale of the discrepancies uncovered pointed to systemic failures rather than isolated lapses.
While formally receiving the report, the Speaker of the House, Yusuf Dahiru Leman, went further to allege that approximately ₦423 billion was siphoned during the El-Rufai administration. He argued that the alleged misappropriation left Kaduna State grappling with enormous financial obligations and a ballooning debt burden that future administrations would struggle to manage. The Speaker described the situation as a serious betrayal of public trust and warned that the long-term economic consequences for the state could be severe if accountability was not enforced.
Based on its findings, the committee recommended the investigation and prosecution of the former governor and several members of his cabinet over allegations ranging from abuse of office and the award of contracts without due process to diversion of public funds, money laundering and reckless borrowing. Acting on these recommendations, the House subsequently adopted and transmitted a formal petition to both the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, urging the anti-graft bodies to take over the matter and pursue it to its logical conclusion.
Beyond the headline ₦423 billion allegation, the legislative report also detailed a number of other disputed transactions. These included cash payments and contract sums exceeding ₦155 million, as well as the alleged diversion of ₦1.37 billion reportedly earmarked for a light rail project. The committee further cited claims that senior aides within the administration were involved in the laundering of ₦64.8 million, painting a picture of what lawmakers described as a deeply troubling pattern of financial misconduct.
El-Rufai has consistently rejected the allegations, dismissing the probe as politically motivated and insisting that all loans obtained during his tenure were properly appropriated and utilised. He has maintained that the borrowed funds were channelled into infrastructure development, education reforms, healthcare improvements and security interventions across Kaduna State. However, his detention on Monday indicates that anti-graft agencies have moved beyond preliminary reviews of the Assembly’s petition to active interrogation, signalling a more advanced phase of the investigation.
Ribadu’s bugged phone
As the EFCC questioned the former governor over financial allegations, the Federal Government simultaneously initiated criminal proceedings against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja over the alleged unlawful interception of the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. The charges, filed under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, marked a dramatic escalation of the controversy surrounding El-Rufai’s recent public statements.
The three-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, accused El-Rufai of admitting during a televised interview that he and unnamed associates intercepted the NSA’s phone communications. According to the charge sheet, the alleged admission occurred on February 13, 2026, when the former governor appeared as a guest on Prime Time on Arise TV in Abuja. Prosecutors argued that the comments amounted to a confession of serious cyber and communications offences.
In Count One, the Federal Government alleged that El-Rufai “did admit during the interview that you and your cohorts unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu,” an offence said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024. Count Two accused him of stating during the same interview that he knew and was associated with an individual who unlawfully intercepted the NSA’s communications without reporting the act to the appropriate authorities, contrary to Section 27(b) of the Act.
Count Three further alleged that El-Rufai and others still at large, sometime in 2026 in Abuja, used technical equipment or systems that compromised public safety and national security by unlawfully intercepting Ribadu’s phone communications. This count is said to be punishable under Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003. The prosecution claimed that the alleged actions, which the defendant reportedly admitted to on live television, created “reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians.” As of press time, no date had been fixed for his arraignment.
The charges stem directly from El-Rufai’s appearance on Arise TV last Friday, where he claimed he became aware of an alleged plan to arrest him through information obtained from a leaked conversation from the NSA’s phone. “Ribadu made the call, because we listened to their calls. The government thinks that they are the only ones who listen to calls. But we also have our ways. He made the call, he gave the order that they should arrest me,” he said. Acknowledging the legal implications, he added: “That technically is illegal. I know, but the government does it all the time. They listen to our calls all the time without a court order. But someone tapped his phone and told us that he gave the order.”
The disclosure sent shockwaves through political and security circles, with analysts warning that, if proven, such interception could amount to a grave breach of national security protocols. Presidential aides were quick to respond, with the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, accusing El-Rufai of deliberately stoking political tension. He said the former governor was attempting to “create political tension in the country, create an atmosphere of fear and unrest, and then damage the government through deliberate misinformation,” while also seeking to “divert attention from his domestic problems in Kaduna State, where he is facing massive corruption allegations.”
Under Nigerian law, unauthorised phone tapping is treated as a serious criminal offence. The Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act provides for penalties of up to 10 years’ imprisonment, fines of up to ₦10 million, or both. Specifically, Section 12 on unauthorised interception prescribes a prison term of up to two years or a fine of up to ₦5 million, or both, for illegally intercepting non-public communications such as phone calls and emails. Recent legal interpretations suggest that where such acts are linked to broader access or national security offences, penalties could be extended to five years. The law also criminalises the unauthorised recording of private conversations and the failure to report known cases of illegal interception, underscoring the gravity of the allegations now confronting the former governor.
Dadiyata case reopened
In a development that has further intensified the legal and political storm surrounding former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, the Department of State Services has reopened investigations into the long-unresolved 2019 disappearance of Abubakar Idris, widely known as Dadiyata. Security sources say the renewed probe now directly involves El-Rufai and his sons, marking a significant escalation in a case that has lingered unresolved for nearly seven years. Dadiyata, a lecturer at the Federal University Dutsinma in Katsina State and a vocal government critic, was reported missing on August 1, 2019, after armed men allegedly took him from his residence in Kaduna. Since then, his whereabouts have remained unknown, making the case one of the most controversial unresolved disappearances in recent Nigerian history.
According to a senior security source who spoke to The PUNCH, the DSS has taken concrete steps to ensure El-Rufai remains within the country while investigations continue. The source disclosed that operatives recently seized the former governor’s passport at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, effectively grounding him and signalling the seriousness with which the agency is treating the reopened investigation. “The DSS has reopened the case of the 2019 disappearance in Kaduna of a renowned government critic, Abubakar Idris, better known as Dadiyata, and several other cases of missing persons,” the source said. “El-Rufai is fully aware that the DSS is investigating him and his two sons for Dadiyata’s kidnapping. That was why he rushed to the ARISE news channel to cook up stories about (Umar) Ganduje and the confessions of a ghost police officer, all in a bid to divert attention.”
The same source stressed that the seizure of El-Rufai’s travel documents was not arbitrary but rooted in law and security protocol. “He is aware of the security implications of seizing his passport. He knows he can’t officially leave the country, which is very bad for him,” the source stated. “Several laws place a responsibility on citizens to assist with crime reporting and prevention. Section 123 of the Criminal Code Act prohibits the willful destruction or concealment of evidence, while the Criminal Code Act and the Penal Code, applicable to Kaduna State, deals with covering up treason, destroying evidence, or aiding suspects.” These legal provisions, the source added, form part of the framework guiding the ongoing investigation.
Further deepening the matter, another security source revealed that investigators are also scrutinising the social media activities of El-Rufai’s sons, Bello and Bashir, particularly posts made in the aftermath of Dadiyata’s disappearance. “Former governor El-Rufai claimed that until Dadiyata’s disappearance he didn’t know that anybody with such a name existed,” the source said. “However, social media posts by his sons, Bello and Bashir, suggest otherwise. Posts by his sons on ‘X’ clearly showed that Dadiyata was a problem for their family. That is why Bello and Bashir will be invited along with their father to help in our investigations.” Despite these claims, El-Rufai has consistently maintained in public statements that he neither knew Dadiyata personally nor had any motive to target him, insisting that the missing lecturer was, at the time, primarily a critic of the Kano State Government.
Abuja, Kaduna protests
Monday’s unfolding events quickly spilled onto the streets of Abuja and Kaduna, as both critics and supporters of El-Rufai mobilised in large numbers. In Abuja, hundreds of protesters under the banner of the Mega National Movement for Good Governance converged on the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, demanding a comprehensive investigation into the alleged ₦432 billion corruption case linked to the former governor’s administration. Waving placards bearing inscriptions such as “Answer the charges El-Rufai” and “El-Rufai not above the law,” the demonstrators attempted to march into the commission’s premises but were restrained by security operatives.
Speaking to journalists at the scene, the group’s spokesman, Muhammad Abdullahi, insisted that the matter should be stripped of political sentiment and addressed strictly within the confines of the law. “We reiterate its firm position that the ongoing prosecution of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, remains a lawful and constitutional matter strictly between him and the Government of Kaduna State,” he said. “This issue should not be reduced to a mere political drama or emotional manipulation. It is a question of accountability and stewardship of public trust.” Abdullahi pointed to the 2024 report of the Kaduna State House of Assembly Ad-Hoc Committee, noting that it raised “serious concerns regarding financial management, public debt profile, and contract procedures under the previous administration.”
He further argued that the investigations were already yielding consequences for individuals linked to the former government. “It is also a matter of public record that some former appointees and close allies — including Jafaru Sani, Jimmy Lawal, Bashir Saidu, and Samuel Aruwa — are already in custody or undergoing investigation in connection with these allegations,” Abdullahi stated. Emphasising that the protests were not motivated by personal animosity, he added, “We emphasise that this is not about persecution; it is about prosecution grounded in law. The courtroom remains the proper venue for vindication. If El-Rufai is confident in his integrity, he should allow the judicial process to run its full course. Let integrity, not rhetoric, determine the outcome.”
Responding on behalf of the anti-graft agency, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale acknowledged the demonstrations while reaffirming the commission’s commitment to due process. “The EFCC recognises the right of Nigerians to lawful protest,” he said. “As far as the EFCC is concerned, the right thing will be done. Our processes and procedures will be followed.” At the same location, El-Rufai’s supporters also gathered, chanting solidarity songs and holding placards with messages such as “El-Rufai is a citizen, not a subject” and “We stand with El-Rufai. We stand for law,” underscoring the sharply divided public opinion surrounding the case.
In Kaduna, the tension was equally palpable as hundreds of protesters under the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations marched to the Kaduna State House of Assembly, demanding transparency and updates on the legislative probe into the former administration. One of the conveners, Aliyu Muhammad, told reporters, “We are here to ask a legitimate question on behalf of the people: What progress has been made in the ongoing legislative probe, and what steps are being taken to ensure that justice is not delayed?” Responding to the demonstrators, the Speaker of the House, Yusuf Dahiru Leman, sought to reassure the public. “We share your pains and stand by our documented findings,” he said. “Anybody found wanting will face the full wrath of the law. No one is above the law.”
Victims demand accountability
Deepening the controversy surrounding the former Kaduna State governor, a coalition of victims of terrorism and insecurity in Kaduna State issued a strongly worded statement demanding accountability for alleged human rights violations committed during the eight-year administration of Nasir El-Rufai. The coalition said its intervention was necessary to give voice to individuals and communities who, according to them, suffered years of violence, loss, and unresolved trauma under his leadership. The statement framed the current legal troubles facing the former governor as an opportunity for long-delayed reckoning, insisting that justice must not only be done but be seen to be done.
The statement was endorsed on behalf of the victims by a group of human rights advocates, including former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Professor Chidi Odinkalu. Speaking for the coalition, Odinkalu described the period between 2015 and 2023 as one marked by fear and devastation for many residents of Kaduna State. “We speak today (Monday) as representatives of countless individuals, families, and communities who endured eight years of profound hardship, terror, fear, and loss under the governorship of Nasir El-Rufai in Kaduna State (2015–2023),” he said. According to him, the demand of the victims is not political revenge but justice anchored in law and due process.
Odinkalu stressed that the coalition’s position was clear and unambiguous. “Our sole demand is accountability under the rule of law: thorough, independent investigations; prosecutions where evidence warrants; and closure for traumatized victims and families,” he said. The group cited several unresolved cases that, in their view, symbolise the broader failure of accountability during the period in question. Among them are the abduction and killing of Dr. Maiwada Galadima and the long-running disappearance of activist Dadiyata. The coalition insisted that these and similar cases must be revisited, arguing that genuine national healing cannot occur without justice for victims and their families.
Opposition reacts
The arrest and emerging charges against El-Rufai have also triggered sharp reactions from opposition political figures, many of whom view the unfolding events through the prism of Nigeria’s charged pre-election atmosphere. The National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Ladipo Johnson, described the situation as part of a wider political drama that could intensify as the 2027 elections draw nearer. “I expect that there will be more of this drama towards the 2027 elections. They haven’t even investigated the matter. The FG is probably acting on his open admission. It will also depend on whether he meant what he said or not,” Johnson said.
While acknowledging the government’s right to investigate allegations, Johnson questioned the process adopted so far. “But I felt they should have invited him before making a statement on the matter,” he added, suggesting that the sequence of actions taken by the authorities could fuel perceptions of political bias. His comments reflect a broader concern within opposition circles that legal processes may be selectively applied or accelerated depending on political convenience.
A similar view was expressed by the Interim National Chairman of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Usman, who spoke through her media aide, Ken Asogwa. According to her, the Federal Government appears intent on compelling the former governor to explain the basis of his public allegations. “I think the Federal Government is taking the legal means to get him to explain the source of his stories,” she said. However, she also expressed surprise at the speed of the government’s actions. “But I am surprised that the Federal Government went ahead to file charges without inviting him first to shed more light on the source of the information he gave out. What it means is that the Federal Government is already indicting him.”
Tinubu hails Ribadu
Amid the political storm, President Bola Tinubu on Monday publicly praised the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, describing him as an exemplary public servant and a source of pride to Adamawa State. Speaking at the Adamawa State Government House in Yola during a one-day official visit, the President referred to Ribadu as an “illustrious son of the soil” who is “honest, bold, courageous and committed” to national service. Tinubu said Ribadu was doing “an excellent job” in the fight against terrorism and banditry, assuring Nigerians that the country’s security challenges would be overcome.
The President was emphatic in his endorsement. “With you (Ribadu), we will defeat the bandits and terrorists. You’re a good National Security Adviser; honest, bold, courageous and committed to the job,” Tinubu said. He added, “I believe the state of Adamawa is strongly, strongly proud of you, because I am too.” The remarks were widely interpreted as a vote of confidence in Ribadu at a time when his office has come under intense public scrutiny.
Tinubu’s declaration came only days after El-Rufai, in a letter dated January 30, 2026, accused the Office of the National Security Adviser of procuring approximately 10 kilogrammes of thallium sulphate, a highly toxic chemical capable of causing death even in small doses, from a supplier in Poland. In the letter titled “Request for Clarification on the Procurement of Thallium Sulphate,” the former governor demanded explanations on the intended use of the substance, how it was being stored, and whether regulatory bodies such as NAFDAC and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control had been duly notified.
In response, the ONSA, in a letter dated February 13, 2026 and signed by Brigadier-General O.M. Adesuyi on behalf of the NSA, flatly denied procuring or authorising the purchase of thallium sulphate. The office said it had referred the allegation to the Department of State Services for investigation, further widening the scope of the controversy.
Taken together, these unfolding developments amount to one of the most far-reaching legal and political confrontations involving a former governor in recent Nigerian history. Once a central figure within the ruling establishment and a dominant voice in national policy debates, El-Rufai now finds himself confronted with parallel investigations into alleged financial misconduct, cyber-related offences, and renewed scrutiny over unresolved disappearance cases. The convergence of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission detention, fresh criminal charges, DSS investigations, and growing public protests underscores the high stakes involved.
Whether these actions ultimately result in lawful prosecution firmly grounded in evidence or lend credence to claims of political persecution, as his supporters argue, will be determined in the courts. For now, the former governor remains in EFCC custody, his once-formidable political future uncertain, as Nigeria moves steadily toward another decisive election cycle.