₦airaland Forum

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday grilled the former Kaduna State governor Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, over alleged fraud during his tenure as governor from 2015 to 2023.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain was said to have honoured an invitation by the commission, days after his legal team confirmed that he would present himself to investigators.

This was sequel to a failed attempt to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Thursday

El-Rufai was accompanied by hundreds of his supporters to the EFCC’s Head office, Abuja.

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.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 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.

Baawaa:
El-rufai don entered one chance,where are the people singing continue dancing we are watching your back

AMINDA:
Just like in the past, EFCC will come out empty. Mallam ran the most documented government in the history of Kaduna and we heard he went to the EFCC office with a hillux full of documents showing every kobo spent as governor of Kaduna. To add to that, Elrufai is a first class student in law from the University of Harvard. I'm sure whoever will be interrogating him at the Commission will learn a lot and tap from his wealth of wisdom and knowledge. It's part of capacity building.

This doesn't mean the well oiled Lagos-Ibadan Expressway media propaganda machinery like TheNation will not have a field day with sensational headlines but that's where it stops.

Lifestone:
Lawyer that will on National Television admit to crime. Yeye dey smell

Baawaa:
El-rufai don entered one chance,where are the people singing continue dancing we are watching your back

AMINDA:
What crime? Are you referring to the tapping? Elrufai will simply plead not guilty and the onus will now lie on the NSA to prove with technical evidence and beyond reasonable doubt, that he did tap his phone.

Section 36(11) of Nigeria's 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides that no person shall be compelled to give evidence against themselves in a criminal matter.

Translation: Even if I say I bedded your wife, you can't charge me to court and win unless you are able to prove it. I will simply decline to testify against myself. I'll send an invoice later for the legal consultation. It's not free.

greatiyk4u:
Finally Tinubu entered the trap set for him

Congratulations ADC

Eyakuare:
They should go and investigate Wike. Then I will know they are serious. If you are with the ruling party, your sins are forgiven but if you are in the opposition then you are corrupt. Useless politicians. It’s a shame

Lifestone:
Nobody is bigger than Government

Lifestone:
Unfortunately he indicted himself on Arise, that's enough to prove direct involvement, accessory to a crime and 7years in prison, aside he won't be able to vie for elective position again

AMINDA:
What crime? Are you referring to the tapping? Elrufai will simply plead not guilty and the onus will now lie on the NSA to prove with technical evidence and beyond reasonable doubt, that he did tap his phone.

Section 36(11) of Nigeria's 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides that no person shall be compelled to give evidence against themselves in a criminal matter.

Translation: Even if I say I bedded your wife, you can't charge me to court and win unless you are able to prove it. I will simply decline to testify against myself. I'll send an invoice later for the legal consultation. It's not free.

HugoBoss10:
That's why I always doff my cap for the man Peter Obi.
This evil government of the day have done everything possible but couldn't find any crime to hang on his neck.
HE Obi is whiter than snow