El-Rufai detained as EFCC grills ex-Kaduna governor over multibillion-naira money laundering

Former Governor Nasir El-Rufai spent the night in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday as the anti-graft agency grilled him over an alleged multibillion-naira money laundering allegation.

“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,” said Muyiwa Adekeye, the Kaduna ex-governor’s spokesman, in a post on X on Monday night.

An ad hoc committee set up by the Kaduna State House of Assembly had, in 2024, recommended the corruption probe of Mr El-Rufai.

The lawmakers had accused him of diverting public funds to the tune of N432 billion.

Henry Zacharia, chairman of the committee, who presented the report during plenary in May 2024, said most of the loans obtained by Mr El-Rufai’s administration were used for other purposes.

Mr Zacharia said most of the loans obtained and projects implemented did not follow “due process”.

In March 2024, Governor Uba Sani said his administration inherited a debt of $587 million and N85 billion, as well as 115 contractual liabilities, from Mr El-Rufai’s administration.

The governor said the huge debt burden was eating deep into the state’s share of the monthly federation allocation.