EFCC Grills El-Rufai Over 422 Billion Naira Alleged Fraud, Nonetheless In Detention

The {Economic} and {Financial} Crimes Fee (EFCC) on Monday grilled the previous Kaduna State governor Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, over alleged fraud to the tune of 422 billion Naira throughout his tenure as governor from 2015 to 2023.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain was stated to have honoured an invite by the fee, days after his authorized staff confirmed that he would current himself to investigators.

This was sequel to a failed try to arrest him on the Nnamdi Azikiwe Worldwide Airport in Abuja on Thursday

El-Rufai was accompanied by tons of of his supporters to the EFCC’s Head workplace, Abuja.

A supply on the fee confirmed that El-Rufai was being interrogated over corruption allegations leveled in opposition to his tenure as governor of Kaduna State.

He’s with our investigators, however can’t affirm how lengthy he could be questioned, it’s nonetheless early to know the way lengthy he’ll keep there,” the supply stated.
Nonetheless, one other supply hinted on the potential of being taken to courtroom for arraignment.

Ubong Akpan, counsel to El-Rufai, had stated the EFCC invitation was obtained whereas he was abroad.

He stated there was no foundation for the tried arrest, which infringes upon key constitutional provisions guaranteeing basic freedoms.

“There exists no justifiable foundation for this tried arrest or the accompanying mistreatment,” he stated.

In accordance with report, there have been two {groups} of protesters that stormed the EFCC headquarters on Monday on the previous governor.

Whereas some have been chanting solidarity songs others have been calling for a radical investigation.

Nonetheless, there was a gentle drama when among the individuals who accompanied El-Rufai have been prevented from getting into the fee’s workplace in Jabi, Abuja

Muhammad Abdullahi, Spokesperson of the group protesting in opposition to El Rufai, insisted that the corruption allegations in opposition to the previous governor should not be trivialised or politicised.

“We reiterate its agency place that the continued prosecution of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, stays a lawful and constitutional matter strictly between him and the Authorities of Kaduna State.

“This subject shouldn’t be lowered to a mere political drama or emotional manipulation,” he stated.

Responding, the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, appealed for calm and guaranteed the protesters that their petition could be forwarded to the suitable authorities throughout the fee.

“The EFCC recognises the correct of Nigerians to lawful protest in respect of any subject they really feel so involved about. Your protest and calls for shall be communicated to the chief chairman accordingly.

“I wish to guarantee you that the EFCC, as we all know it, will do its job professionally by attending to all the problems that you just raised in your letter,” he stated.