Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday held on to former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
It was the former governor’s second night at the agency’s Abuja headquarters.
There were indications that the ex-governor may stay longer in custody if the anti-graft commission secures a remand order from a court.
Also, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is waiting in the wing to interrogate El-Rufai on the failed light rail project in Kaduna.
Besides, the Department of State Services (DSS) is set to pick up the ex-governor for arraignment for allegedly tapping the telephone line of the National Security Adviser, Mallam. Nuhu Ribadu.
The secret police has already filed thre-count charge against the former governor before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to a source, El-Rufai underwent another round of interrogation yesterday at the EFCC office on his tenure as a governor between 2015 and 2023.
The source said: “For hours we asked el-Rufai to respond to statement by his Commissioner for Finance, who had earlier appeared before EFCC
“There are so many documents he has to surf, we will not release him. There are plans to secure a longer remand order from a competent court.
“There is no cause for alarm at all because el-Rufai has access to his lawyer and his rights are being protected.”
It could not be immediately ascertained which of the former commissioners for finance was interrogated by the EFCC.
El-Rufai used two commissioners to manage the finance portfolio during his two terms.
Suleiman Abdu Kwari served as the Commissioner for Finance from May 2015 to May 2019 before resigning to run for the Kaduna North Senatorial seat.
Mohammad Bashir Saidu was appointed as replacement in April 2019, following Kwari’s resignation.
Saidu also previously served as Chief of Staff to the governor and was tasked with restructuring the ministry during el-Rufai’s second term.
“The DSS wants to interact with the ex-governor ahead of his formal arrangement on a three-count charge “, a security source added.
The ICPC will grill El-Rufai on the N1.3 billion failed Kaduna light rail project.
El -Rufai presented himself at the EFCC headquarters for questioning over corruption allegations on Monday.
In a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Report, El-Rufai’s media aide Muyiwa Adekeye confirmed the development in a statement, noting that the former governor honoured the commission’s invitation and held discussions with its officials.
According to him, El-Rufai had a frank and fruitful interaction with EFCC investigators, adding that his legal team described the officials’ conduct as professional.
Adekeye noted that the former governor remained with the commission after the engagement last night.
