Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai is currently in the eye of a legal storm. Following hours of interrogation, he has been detained by the EFCC and officially charged by the DSS with cybercrime offenses.
The Charges at a Glance:
- The Cybercrime Case: The DSS filed a three-count charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026) following El-Rufai’s recent Arise TV interview. He allegedly admitted to unlawfully intercepting the phone calls of National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu. If convicted, he faces two years in prison or a ₦5 million fine.
- The Financial Probe: The EFCC is grilling the former governor over ₦21 billion in allegedly mismanaged funds. This is part of a wider ₦432 billion investigation into his eight-year tenure, including the controversial “ghost” Kaduna light rail project.
The Drama: El-Rufai’s detention sparked immediate reactions, with rival groups of protesters clashing outside the EFCC headquarters in Abuja. While supporters claim political persecution, critics are demanding full accountability for the Kaduna State treasury.
With his passport already seized and a court order keeping him in custody, the man once considered untouchable now faces his toughest battle yet.
