Chaos as El-Rufai Storms EFCC Office in Abuja, Video Trends
- Nasir El-Rufai, ex-Kaduna governor, arrived at the headquarters of the EFCC in Abuja in response to an invitation over ongoing investigations into alleged corruption during his tenure in office
- El-Rufai's arrival at the anti-graft agency’s Jabi headquarters drew a heavy security presence, as operatives restricted members of his entourage from entering the premises
- The development sparked tension at the commission’s entrance, where supporters of the former governor had gathered early in the day
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering politics, elections, and governance in Nigeria and Africa.
FCT, Abuja - Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, arrived at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) office in Abuja on Monday morning, February 16.
As reported by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (The ICIR), El-Rufai's entourage was denied entry, causing a brief chaos at the gate.
Source: Twitter
The trending X video can be watched below:
Protest at EFCC over El-Rufai
Meanwhile, supporters and critics of El-Rufai converged on the headquarters of the EFCC in Abuja, as the former Kaduna State governor arrived at the commission’s office over ongoing investigations into alleged corruption during his tenure (from 2015 to 2023).
The protesters were divided in their demands, with some demonstrating in support of El-Rufai, while others called on the anti-graft agency to subject him to a thorough investigation.
Witnesses said the protest created a tense atmosphere around the commission’s Jabi office, although activities remained largely peaceful.
There was, however, mild drama when security operatives reportedly stopped some members of El-Rufai’s entourage from entering the EFCC premises.
El-Rufai visited the commission, days after his legal team confirmed that he would present himself to investigators following a failed attempt to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The former governor later proceeded into the EFCC facility, while the protesters continued to demonstrate outside the gate, Vanguard noted.
Nigerian govt files charges against El-Rufai
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has filed cybercrime charges against El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja, over the alleged unlawful interception of the phone communications of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
The case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026 was filed on Monday, February 16, barely three days after El-Rufai said during a live interview on Arise TV that the NSA’s phone conversation had been intercepted and that he had heard the NSA directing security operatives to detain him.
Premium Times noted the federal government's action.
Source: Facebook
The government alleged that El-Rufai, 65, admitted during an appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme on February 13, that he and others unlawfully intercepted Ribadu’s phone communications.
Prosecutors said the alleged act contravenes Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
Alleged phone tapping of Ribadu highlights insecurity - Expert
Dr Sulaimon Adigun Muse, a senior lecturer in the department of political science education, Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Nigeria, in an interview with Legit.ng, said for Ribadu's phone to have been allegedly hacked, "it speaks volume on our level of insecurity in Nigeria."
Muse, the president of the Global Academy of Political Entrepreneurship and Leadership (GAPEL), suggested that the alleged phone tapping might not be a one-off incident.
He told Legit.ng:
"If Ribadu's phone can be hacked, the No.1 chief security officer, it means all of us, our lives are at risk. It means our phones can be hacked, and information on our phones can be used by even the criminals."
Dr. Muse added:
"In my opinion, he (El-Rufai) should be able to separate politics from criminal acts. What El-Rufai has done is a criminal act. For him to have eroded on the personal affair of Ribadu; for him to have hacked the phone and be able to get personal information, I think it is a criminal act and he should be made to face the music."
El-Rufai speaks on running in 2027 election
Legit.ng earlier reported that El-Rufai has not ruled out the possibility of contesting for the presidency in the 2027 election.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain explained that he is not currently planning to run for the presidency in 2027, but he is leaving the door open if his party strongly asks him to.
Source: Legit.ng
