Abuja: The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has provided clarification on the delay in charging Malam Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, to court following his recent interrogation.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, El-Rufai was detained by the EFCC for two nights, from February 16 to February 18, due to corruption allegations. A source within the EFCC disclosed that the former governor is still under investigation, which is why charges have not yet been filed.
The source emphasized that the EFCC is committed to conducting a thorough investigation before proceeding with court charges. The investigation is described as significant, and the commission aims to ensure a comprehensive and professional handling of the case. El-Rufai was released on bail last Wednesday, but the investigations are ongoing.
Following his release from EFCC custody, El-Rufai was immediately taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The EFCC plans to resume its investigation once the ICPC concludes its process, after which El-Rufai will be charged in court.
El-Rufai initially spent time in EFCC custody starting from February 16, before being released on administrative bail on February 18. He was subsequently detained by the ICPC. According to Muyiwa Adekeye, an aide to El-Rufai, the former governor had been in the custody of both agencies for a total of nine days as of Tuesday. El-Rufai’s legal team has not yet received a response from the ICPC regarding a bail application submitted on his behalf.