EFCC holds El-Rufai

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission may have detained former Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai after he honoured the invitation of the anti-graft agency on Monday.

Muyiwa Adekeye, the media aide to the former governor gave this indication in an ‘update’ on El-Rufai’s invitation by the EFCC on his X handle late Monday.

Adekeye, in the update, noted that former governor honoured the invitation of the EFCC on Monday.

He also said El-Rufai had “a frank and fruitful interaction with the EFCC officials.’

Adekeye also revealed that the lawyer to the ex-governor revealed that EFCC operatives that interacted with El-Rufai “were entirely professional in their approach and conduct.”

But he noted that the former governor “remains with the EFCC,” an indication that he has not been allowed to go home by the anti-graft agency.

Earlier reports had indicated that El-Rufai was questioned by EFCC operatives alleged fraud during his tenure as governor from 2015 to 2023.

News Agency had quoted a source within EFCC as saying it is too early to know how long his interrogation by the agency will last.

However, another source hinted on the possibility of being taken to court for arraignment.

Recall that there was commotion ahead of El-Rufai’s arrival at the EFCC headquarters on Monday morning as two groups of protesters stormed the venue.

While one group of the protesters alleged that the former governor was being persecuted, the other group insisted that the law must be allowed to take its course.

Muhammad Abdullahi, Spokesperson of the group protesting against El Rufai, insisted that the corruption allegations against the former governor must not be trivialised or politicised.

“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.

“This issue should not be reduced to a mere political drama or emotional manipulation,” he said.

However, the spokesperson for EFCC, Dele Oyewale, appealed for calm and assured the protesters that their petition would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities within the commission.

“The EFCC recognises the right of Nigerians to lawful protest in respect of any issue they feel so concerned about. Your protest and demands will be communicated to the executive chairman accordingly.

“I want to assure you that the EFCC, as we know it, will do its job professionally by attending to all the issues that you raised in your letter,” he said.