Hundreds of demonstrators marched to the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Abuja on Monday, demanding a thorough investigation into the alleged N432 billion corruption case involving former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The protesters, under the aegis of the Mega National Movement for Good Governance, gathered at the anti-graft agency’s premises chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Answer The Charges El-Rufai” and “El-Rufai Not Above The Law”.
Security operatives stationed at the entrance prevented the group from marching into the commission’s premises.
Addressing journalists at the scene, the group’s spokesman, Muhammad Abdullahi, 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,” Abdullahi said .
He cited the Kaduna State House of Assembly Ad-Hoc Committee Report (2024), which raised concerns regarding financial management, public debt profile, and contract procedures under the previous administration. Abdullahi noted that some former appointees and close allies—including Jafaru Sani, Jimmy Lawal, Bashir Saidu, and Samuel Aruwa—are already in custody or undergoing investigation in connection with these allegations .
The protesters urged the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to carry out a thorough, evidence-based and transparent investigation, citing Section 15(5) of the Constitution.
“If those who served in that administration are subjecting themselves to due process, it is only proper that the former governor does the same without politicising the process,” Abdullahi stated .
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,” Oyewale said .
El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023, arrived at the EFCC headquarters on Monday morning to honour an invitation from the commission . His appearance followed a controversial attempt to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, last Thursday after his return from Cairo, Egypt . His lawyer, Ubong Esop Akpan, confirmed that the former governor appeared before the EFCC by 10:00 a.m. .
The former governor’s arrival drew both supporters and critics. Supporters gathered at the junction leading to the commission, chanting slogans and holding placards with inscriptions such as “El-Rufai is a citizen, not a subject” and “We stand with El-Rufai. We stand for law.” . A video circulating online showed supporters alleging that the EFCC dispersed them with teargas while allowing anti-El-Rufai protesters to assemble nearby.
El-Rufai is facing a N432 billion corruption probe after all 28 members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly unanimously endorsed a petition to the ICPC and EFCC. Investigations by anti-graft agencies are ongoing, including a probe initiated by his successor, Governor Uba Sani . The former governor has consistently denied any wrongdoing, describing the investigations as politically motivated persecution .
The protest followed a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who accused El-Rufai of portraying himself as a victim of political persecution to evade accountability. Onanuga said the former governor’s recent public outbursts were calculated attempts to “create political tension in the country” and “divert attention from his domestic problems in Kaduna State, where he is facing massive corruption allegations” .
Similarly, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media, Temitope Ajayi, accused El-Rufai of playing political games and likened him to “a drowning man holding on to a straw” in a bid to remain politically relevant.
Former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has also called for a comprehensive investigation into El-Rufai’s eight-year administration, alleging financial irregularities, abuse of office, and human rights violations . Sani urged security agencies to intensify investigations into the disappearance of political activist Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, who has been missing since 2019 .
