Supporters and protesters converged on the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Abuja on Monday as former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was interrogated over alleged corruption during his tenure from 2015 to 2023.
The former governor, who honoured the commission’s invitation days after a failed arrest attempt at the airport, was accompanied by loyalists, while opposing groups demanded a thorough and transparent investigation into the allegations.
This was sequel to a failed attempt to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Thursday.
A source at the commission confirmed that El-Rufai was being interrogated over corruption allegations leveled 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.
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 its 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.
