EFCC grills former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai over alleged N432bn fraud

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, spent Monday night in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as the anti-graft agency questioned him over an alleged multibillion-naira money laundering case.

Confirming the development, his spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye, disclosed in a post on X that the former governor honoured the EFCC’s invitation and engaged in what he described as a frank and fruitful interaction with officials of the commission.

“UPDATE: Malam Nasir @elrufai today honoured the invitation extended to him by the EFCC. He had a frank and fruitful interaction with the EFCC officials, whom his counsel noted were entirely professional in their approach and conduct. He remains with the EFCC,” the statement read.

The probe follows the recommendation of an ad hoc committee set up by the Kaduna State House of Assembly in 2024, which called for an investigation into the former governor’s administration.

The committee had accused El-Rufai of allegedly diverting public funds amounting to N432 billion. Presenting the report during plenary in May 2024, the committee chairman, Henry Zacharia, claimed that most of the loans obtained under El-Rufai’s administration were allegedly used for purposes other than those for which they were secured.

According to the committee, several projects and loan arrangements did not follow due process.

In March 2024, the incumbent governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, stated that his administration inherited a debt profile of $587 million and N85 billion, alongside 115 contractual liabilities, from the previous government. He said the debt burden had significantly impacted the state’s share of the monthly federation allocation.

The EFCC has yet to issue an official statement detailing the outcome of the interrogation as of press time.