Former Kaduna governor honours invitation amid corruption probe, arrives to duelling protests and allegations of passport seizure at airport days earlier
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai walked into the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Abuja Monday morning, keeping his promise to honour an invitation that has become the focal point of a high-stakes political drama.
His arrival at approximately 10 a.m. triggered immediate tension at the commission's gate, where security operatives restricted members of his entourage from entering the premises—a scene captured in videos circulating widely on social media.
A City Divided
Outside the EFCC gates, Nigeria's political fault lines were on full display. Supporters of the former governor gathered at the junction leading to the commission, chanting solidarity slogans and hoisting placards declaring "El-Rufai is a citizen, not a subject" and "We stand with El-Rufai. We stand for law."
But they were not alone. A rival group of protesters, reportedly aligned with anti-El-Rufai sentiment, assembled nearby carrying banners reading "El-Rufai cannot hide behind politics, let the law catch up" and smaller placards urging him to "Answer the charge, El-Rufai."
Tensions escalated when pro-El-Rufai demonstrators alleged that security forces deployed teargas against them while allowing the opposing group to protest unmolested. The claims could not be independently verified, but footage showed scattered crowds and heightened security presence around the commission.
The Road to EFCC
El-Rufai's appearance at the anti-graft agency follows weeks of speculation about his legal fate. The former governor had travelled abroad on November 30, 2025, and the EFCC delivered a letter of invitation to his residence in December, fueling rumours that he might face arrest upon return.
The invitation relates to ongoing investigations into alleged corruption during his eight-year tenure as Kaduna State governor from 2015 to 2023—allegations he has consistently denied, framing them as political persecution by the federal government and his own party, the All Progressives Congress.
The Airport Incident
Thursday's dramatic scene at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport set the stage for Monday's events. According to El-Rufai's media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, security agents attempted to arrest the former governor immediately upon his arrival from Cairo, Egypt, without producing any formal invitation or warrant.
"Security agents today attempted to arrest Malam Nasir El-Rufai as he arrived on a flight from Cairo. Malam El-Rufai declined to follow them without a formal invitation," Adekeye posted on X.
The adviser further alleged that officials seized the ex-governor's passport during the encounter—a claim that has not been officially confirmed or denied by security agencies.
Speaking to BBC Hausa days later, El-Rufai described the incident as "executive overreach and a deliberate disregard for the rule of law." He warned he could be arrested at any moment, noting that several of his former aides had already been detained.
The Broader Investigation
The EFCC probe is running parallel to an investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, as well as a separate inquiry initiated by El-Rufai's successor, Governor Uba Sani, into his predecessor's tenure.
El-Rufai, now a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, has intensified his criticism of President Bola Tinubu and the ruling party in recent weeks, asserting that he was never an ally of the president despite having campaigned for him in 2023.
What Happens Next
The former governor has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and pledged to cooperate with investigators. Monday's voluntary appearance was consistent with that pledge, even as his supporters maintained a visible presence outside the gates.
As of press time, El-Rufai remained inside the EFCC headquarters. The outcome of his interaction with investigators—whether he will be detained, granted bail, or released after questioning—remains unclear.
For a man who once wielded immense power over one of Nigeria's most strategic states, the day's events marked a profound shift: from governor to governed, from subject of loyalty to object of investigation.
Outside, his supporters kept chanting. Inside, the questions began.
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