Nigeria’s anti-corruption and security agencies on Monday escalated legal proceedings against former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, signaling what observers describe as a significant test of institutional accountability and cybercrime enforcement.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) questioned the former governor for several hours at its Abuja headquarters over alleged financial irregularities linked to loans obtained during his tenure between 2015 and 2023. The investigation follows recommendations by an ad-hoc committee of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which alleged that approximately N432 billion in public funds were either misapplied or disbursed outside established procedures.
Officials at the EFCC confirmed that the former governor was undergoing interrogation but declined to provide details regarding the duration or scope of the questioning. El-Rufai has publicly rejected the allegations, characterizing them as politically motivated.
In a parallel development, federal prosecutors initiated criminal proceedings against the former governor at the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged violations of Nigeria’s cybercrime and communications laws.
According to court filings, the charges stem from remarks made during a televised interview on February 13, 2026, in which el-Rufai acknowledged knowledge of the unlawful interception of the National Security Adviser’s communications. Prosecutors allege that he failed to report the alleged cybercrime and may have been complicit in activities that compromised national security.
The three-count charge references provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003. Authorities allege that technical equipment was deployed in a manner that threatened public safety and national security. No date has been fixed for his arraignment.
Outside the EFCC’s Jabi facility, tensions escalated as supporters and critics of the former governor gathered in protest. Security operatives dispersed clashing groups using teargas, with the fumes reportedly affecting nearby facilities, including the Federal Medical Centre.
Witnesses described scenes of disruption as hospital patients sought relief from the drifting gas. Among those affected were pregnant women and children receiving treatment at the time of the incident. Officials had not released a formal statement regarding the crowd control measures as of press time.
The developments have sparked wider debate about the intersection of anti-corruption enforcement, political rivalry, and national security. Analysts suggest the case may have far-reaching implications for opposition politics and institutional authority ahead of future electoral cycles.
While government agencies frame the actions as part of ongoing enforcement efforts, opposition figures argue the situation reflects deeper political contestation. The coming weeks are expected to clarify both the legal trajectory of the case and its broader political consequences.