Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, will spend his second consecutive day in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) today as the agency prepares to arraign him over alleged financial misconduct during his tenure.
ENigeria Newspaper learnt that the EFCC reportedly has no plans to grant administrative bail to the African Democratic Party (ADC) chieftain, who faces accusations of misappropriation, reckless borrowing, and money laundering totaling over N432 billion.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a source close to the inquiry stated that the commission plans to detain El-Rufai until his formal arraignment.
The probe traces back to loans, contracts, and expenditures executed between 2015 and 2023 under his administration. The Kaduna State House of Assembly’s 2024 Ad Hoc Committee on Finances reported that many loans obtained during this period were not used for their intended purposes.
The committee also highlighted alleged irregularities, including disputed cash payments and contracts, diversion of funds earmarked for a light rail project, and money laundering by senior aides.
House Speaker Yusuf Leman noted that El-Rufai’s administration left the state with mounting debt, saying that financial liabilities were exacerbated by mismanagement and illegal fund transfers. The House committee recommended prosecuting the former governor and several cabinet members for abuse of office, award of contracts without due process, and diversion of public funds.
Recall that the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) were petitioned to recover the allegedly misappropriated funds.
As El-Rufai remains in custody, the commission is expected to complete its interrogation and move toward formal arraignment, marking a significant stage in one of the largest corruption investigations involving a former state governor in recent years.
