El-Rufai Detained by EFCC Amid Cybercrime Charges

Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State and a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has been detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja. This follows the Department of State Services (DSS) filing three counts of cybercrime charges against him in the Federal High Court in Abuja.

El-Rufai's detention is linked to an investigation into alleged financial misconduct during his administration from 2015 to 2023, particularly concerning a report from an ad hoc committee in the Kaduna State House of Assembly that accused his administration of improperly obtaining loans totaling N423 billion. The committee recommended further investigation and prosecution of El-Rufai and members of his cabinet for alleged abuse of office and mismanagement of public funds.

El-Rufai's spokesman, Muyiwa Adekey, has dismissed these allegations. Protests occurred in Kaduna demanding updates on the investigation, while El-Rufai was interrogated for several hours at the EFCC headquarters.