THE ECONOMIC and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday grilled former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasiru el-Rufai, over alleged fraud during his tenure as governor from 2015 to 2023.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain was said to have honoured an invitation by the commission days after his legal team confirmed that he would present himself to investigators.
This was sequel to a failed attempt to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Thursday.
El-Rufai was accompanied by hundreds of his supporters to the EFCC’s Head office, Abuja.
A source at the commission confirmed that el-Rufai was being interrogated over corruption allegations levelled against his tenure as governor of Kaduna State.
“He is with our investigators, but cannot confirm how long he would be questioned, it is still early to know how long he will stay there,” the source said.
However, another source hinted on the possibility of being taken to court for arraignment.
Ubong Akpan, counsel to el-Rufai, had said the EFCC invitation was received while he was overseas.
He said there was no basis for the attempted arrest, which infringes upon key constitutional provisions guaranteeing fundamental freedoms.
“There exists no justifiable basis for this attempted arrest or the accompanying mistreatment,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there were two groups of protesters that stormed the EFCC headquarters on Monday on the former governor.
While some were chanting solidarity songs others were calling for a thorough investigation.
However, there was a mild drama when some of the persons who accompanied el-Rufai were prevented from entering the commission’s office in Jabi, Abuja.
Muhammad Abdullahi, Spokesperson of the group protesting against el-Rufai, insisted that the corruption allegations against the former governor must not be trivialised or politicised.
“We reiterate the firm position that the ongoing prosecution of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, remains a lawful and constitutional matter strictly between him and the Government of Kaduna State.
“This issue should not be reduced to a mere political drama or emotional manipulation,” he said.
Responding, the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, appealed for calm and assured the protesters that their petition would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities within the commission.
“The EFCC recognises the right of Nigerians to lawful protest in respect of any issue they feel so concerned about. Your protest and demands will be communicated to the executive chairman accordingly.
“I want to assure you that the EFCC, as we know it, will do its job professionally by attending to all the issues that you raised in your letter,” he said. (NAN)
