El-Rufai Faces EFCC Questioning Amid Protests, Alleges Political Persecution
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Monday appeared on the headquarters of the {Economic} and {Financial} Crimes Fee (EFCC) in Abuja over ongoing investigations linked to alleged corruption throughout his time in workplace.
His arrival on the fee’s workplace heightened rigidity across the premises, as safety operatives reportedly barred members of his entourage from getting into the ability.
Supporters of the previous governor gathered close to the junction resulting in the EFCC headquarters, chanting slogans and displaying placards that learn, “El-Rufai is a citizen, not a topic” and “We stand with El-Rufai. We stand for regulation.”
Movies circulating on-line confirmed the supporters accusing safety brokers of dispersing them with teargas whereas allowing a separate group of anti-El-Rufai demonstrators to assemble close by. The opposing protesters carried banners urging him to face the allegations, with messages comparable to, “El-Rufai can’t disguise behind politics, let the regulation catch up,” and “Reply the cost, El-Rufai.”
Sources disclosed that the previous governor had travelled overseas on November 30, 2025, and that the EFCC subsequently delivered a a call for participation to his residence in December, fuelling hypothesis a few attainable arrest upon his return. El-Rufai had formally notified the fee of his intention to seem at its workplace by 10 a.m. on Monday.
His media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, alleged that safety officers earlier tried to arrest the ex-governor upon his arrival at Nnamdi Azikiwe Worldwide Airport from Cairo, Egypt, final Thursday. In keeping with Adekeye, El-Rufai declined to conform and not using a formal invitation, after which his passport was quickly seized.
In an interview, El-Rufai described the airport incident as “govt overreach” and a violation of due course of, including that he feared he might be detained at any time. He additional famous that a few of his former aides had already been arrested.
Investigations by the EFCC and the Impartial Corrupt Practices and Different Associated Offences Fee are reportedly ongoing, together with a probe initiated by his successor, Uba Sani, into actions throughout his administration.
El-Rufai, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, has denied any wrongdoing, alleging that the investigations are politically motivated. He has additionally intensified criticism of Bola Tinubu and the ruling occasion, sustaining that he was by no means aligned with the president.
Boluwatife Enome
Times Nigeria