EFCC DETTAINS EL-RUFAI OVER ₦423BN KADUNA LOAN PROBE AS FG FILES CYBERCRIME CHARGES
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, spent Monday night, February 16, 2026, in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after hours of interrogation over allegations tied to a multi-billion-naira corruption investigation.Sources within the anti-graft agency confirmed that El-Rufai arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja around 10:00 a.m. in response to an official invitation. He was questioned over allegations contained in the 2024 Kaduna State House of Assembly report, which accused his administration (2015–2023) of financial mismanagement, abuse of office, irregular loan utilisation and contract irregularities.As of late Monday night, sources indicated that the former governor remained in custody, although EFCC spokespersons confirmed only that he honoured the invitation and declined to provide further operational details.Assembly Report and ₦423 Billion AllegationAt the centre of the investigation is a legislative report produced by an ad hoc committee of the Kaduna State House of Assembly reviewing finances, loans and contract awards executed between 2015 and 2023.The committee alleged that several loans secured during El-Rufai’s tenure were not applied to their stated purposes and claimed that approximately ₦423 billion was siphoned, leaving the state with significant debt obligations.Beyond the headline allegation, lawmakers referenced:Disputed payments exceeding ₦155 millionAlleged diversion of ₦1.37 billion earmarked for a light rail projectThe purported laundering of ₦64.8 million by senior government aidesThe Assembly recommended the prosecution of the former governor and key officials of his administration for alleged contract irregularities, money laundering and reckless borrowing.El-Rufai has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. He has described the probe as politically motivated and maintains that all loans were lawfully appropriated and utilised for infrastructure development, education reform, healthcare expansion and security interventions across Kaduna State.Federal Government Files Separate Criminal ChargesIn a separate but related legal development, the Federal Government has filed a three-count criminal charge against El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged unlawful interception of communications linked to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.The charges were filed under provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act and the Nigerian Communications Act.According to court documents, prosecutors alleged that El-Rufai admitted during a February 13, 2026 television interview that he and associates had access to intercepted communications connected to the Office of the National Security Adviser. The Federal Government argues that such conduct, if proven, constitutes unlawful interception and failure to report a cybercrime offence — actions prosecutors say could threaten national security.No date has been fixed for his arraignment.DSS Reopens Dadiyata Disappearance InvestigationSecurity sources also disclosed that the Department of State Services (DSS) has reopened investigations into the 2019 disappearance of Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, a Kaduna-based government critic who went missing nearly seven years ago.According to sources, El-Rufai’s passport was recently seized at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, as part of ongoing investigations. Officials indicated that the probe may extend to social media activities linked to individuals close to the former governor around the time of the disappearance.El-Rufai has consistently denied any connection to the missing lecturer, stating that he neither knew him personally nor had any motive to target him.Political and Legal ImplicationsThe unfolding developments mark one of the most high-profile investigations involving a former state governor in recent years, combining allegations of large-scale financial mismanagement with claims touching on national security and cybercrime.Legal analysts note that the EFCC investigation and the separate Federal Government charges are distinct proceedings and may follow different judicial timelines.As investigations continue, attention remains focused on whether formal charges will be filed in the financial case and when arraignment will take place in the cybercrime matter.
