ABUJA — Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai is spending his second night in detention at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after being grilled over an alleged N432 billion corruption scandal, even as the Department of State Services (DSS) filed separate criminal charges against him for the alleged unlawful interception of the National Security Adviser’s phone communications .
El-Rufai, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), arrived at the EFCC office in Abuja around 10 a.m. on Monday, February 17, 2026 after responding to an official invitation. He was immediately taken in for questioning over allegations stemming from a damning 2024 report by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which accused his administration of misappropriating loans and flagrant violations of due process in contract awards, leaving the state saddled with significant debt .
A senior EFCC official confirmed that the investigation into the former governor’s eight-year tenure (2015-2023) has been ongoing for approximately one year. The probe is focused on the alleged misuse of N423 billion in loans, with the state assembly’s ad hoc committee recommending the prosecution of El-Rufai and several former cabinet members for abuse of office, contract violations, and money laundering .
EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale confirmed El-Rufai’s presence at the commission but declined to comment on the specifics of the investigation. Sources familiar with the matter told reporters that the former governor was still providing answers to detectives as of Tuesday night and would remain in custody through Wednesday .
“El-Rufai will likely get the treatment of the former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami,” a source familiar with the development said, suggesting the commission is working to secure a court order to extend his detention beyond the mandatory 48-hour period, which expires on Wednesday .
Bail Complications and ICPC Summons
Sources revealed that the EFCC initially granted El-Rufai administrative bail on condition that a Permanent Secretary and a Director in a federal ministry stand as sureties. However, when the Permanent Secretary arrived at the commission’s office to complete the formalities, the agency allegedly hesitated and later declined to proceed with the arrangement. It was further learned that the Permanent Secretary subsequently withdrew from the bail process after allegedly receiving threats, raising concerns about possible intimidation and interference in the case.
Meanwhile, El-Rufai was also scheduled to appear before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Wednesday for questioning over separate corruption allegations. His legal team has reportedly written to the ICPC to formally notify the commission that their client cannot attend due to his continued detention by the EFCC .
DSS Files Cybercrime Charges Over Phone Tapping
Compounding the former governor’s legal woes, the Department of State Services has filed a three-count criminal charge against El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations that he unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu .
Court documents marked FHC/CR/99/2026 and dated February 16, 2026, indicate that the charges stem from a televised interview El-Rufai granted on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme on February 13, 2026 .
In Count One, the prosecution alleges that El-Rufai admitted during the interview that “you and your cohorts unlawfully intercepted the Phone Communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu,” an offence contrary to Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024 .
Count Two alleges that the former governor stated he knows and relates with individuals who allegedly intercepted the NSA’s communications but failed to report them to relevant security agencies, an offence under Section 27(b) of the same Act .
Count Three accuses El-Rufai and “others still at large” of using technical systems that allegedly compromised public safety and national security by unlawfully intercepting the NSA’s phone communications, contrary to Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 .
The charge sheet lists Ernest O.M., Owan O.M., U.M. Bulla, C.S. Eze (PhD), and E.G. Orubor as counsel for the prosecution, acting on behalf of the DSS .
Political Context and Airport Incident
El-Rufai’s detention marks a significant escalation in the legal challenges facing the former governor, who has become a vocal critic of the Federal Government since leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the ADC in 2025 .
The investigation follows a turbulent return to Nigeria for El-Rufai, who on February 12 faced an attempted arrest by DSS operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja immediately after arriving from Cairo, Egypt .
El-Rufai had alleged that the arrest attempt was orchestrated by the ICPC acting on the instructions of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, a claim both agencies have yet to officially respond to .
“I don’t think it is accurate to say that they tried to detain me,” El-Rufai had said recounting the airport incident. “They met me as I was coming out of the plane and said that they are from the DSS and they would like to have a meeting with me in their office.” He insisted on seeing a formal invitation letter before complying, and with the support of a crowd of passengers and supporters, managed to resist the operatives and proceed home .
The DSS later explained that it seized El-Rufai’s passport at the airport to prevent him from fleeing the country after briefly visiting Nigeria, and disclosed that it is also investigating the former governor and his sons over their alleged involvement in the 2019 disappearance of Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata .
As of press time, El-Rufai remained in EFCC custody, with his legal team working to secure his release while countering the federal government’s efforts to keep him detained. It remains uncertain whether he will be able to honour the ICPC invitation scheduled for Wednesday due to his ongoing detention by the EFCC .
Facebook Comments
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings