EFCC Given 72-Hour Ultimatum To Arrest El-Rufai Over Alleged N423bn Misuse

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been given 72 hours to arrest and investigate former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, over allegations of mismanaging N423 billion during his tenure.

The demand was issued by the Northern Christians Accord (NCA), which, in a statement on Thursday, criticized the EFCC’s delay in acting on multiple petitions submitted against El-Rufai, despite an indictment by the Kaduna State House of Assembly.

In June 2024, an ad-hoc committee of the Kaduna State House of Assembly released a report accusing El-Rufai and key officials of corruption in contract awards and mismanagement of both domestic and foreign loans between May 29, 2015, and May 29, 2023.

The report, submitted by the committee chairman, Henry Danjuma, highlighted multiple cases of financial misconduct across state ministries, departments, and agencies. As part of its recommendations, the House:
Ordered the withdrawal of an Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) account at Zenith Bank, which had been used as security for a ₦20 billion loan in 2023.
Called for a refund of all deductions made from the account, along with accrued interest.
Recommended investigations into all Commissioners of Finance and Accountants-General who served between 2015 and 2023.

Following the Assembly’s findings, a group called Kaduna Citizens Watch for Good Governance (KCWGG) petitioned the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in July 2024. However, seven months later, no action has been taken against El-Rufai.

The NCA, led by Gideon Jato, accused the EFCC of selective prosecution, comparing the case to that of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, who was swiftly arrested and prosecuted despite not being indicted by the Kogi State Assembly.

The NCA warned that failure to arrest and prosecute El-Rufai within 72 hours would result in:
Public awareness campaigns exposing the agency’s inaction to both Nigerians and the international community.
Mass protests across the 19 northern states at the EFCC headquarters and the National Assembly.

“Why is it taking EFCC years to prosecute a man indicted for mismanaging nearly ₦500bn, while others face trial for lesser amounts?” the group questioned.

The EFCC has yet to respond to the ultimatum.