Former Governor El-Rufai has been detained by ICPC over alleged corruption in Kaduna, after two nights in EFCC custody.
Temporary relief eluded former Kaduna State Governor and chieftain of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, as Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) took him into custody on Wednesday night, upon his release by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
El-Rufai had been in the custody of EFCC since Monday morning, when he honoured the commission’s invitation to respond to corruption allegations levelled against his administration.
The state Assembly had petitioned anti-corruption agencies to investigate El-Rufai over alleged fraud and misappropriation of state funds to the tune of over N423 billion. Others, too, including rights activists and Abuja-based lawyer, Mr Deji Adeyanju, had last week called on EFCC and other anti-graft agencies to probe El-Rufai for allegedly engaging in financial misconduct, abuse of office, and releasing funds to bandits while holding the office of Governor of Kaduna State.
The former governor had resisted an attempt by security operatives to arrest him last Thursday at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on his return to the country, demanding a formal letter of invitation, before his visit to the headquarters of the anti-graft agency two days ago.
After spending two nights with EFCC investigators, El-Rufai might have been granted administrative bail.
However, he was immediately taken into custody by ICPC, which had earlier invited him, also, in respect of corruption allegations.
A statement by ICPC on Wednesday night disclosed that El-Rufai was with them as at the close of work on Wednesday.
Head, Media and Public Communications /spokesperson of ICPC, John Odey, who issued the statement, disclosed that the former governor was being held in connection with investigation.
acknowledged those who carried out the interception but also failed to report them to relevant security agencies, despite being aware of the alleged offence.
DSS also claimed that the unlawful use of technical equipment to intercept the NSA’s communications compromised national security and created reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians.
The charge was predicated on the provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, as well as the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
