ABUJA – The federal capital was thrown into a frenzy on Monday morning as former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai finally arrived at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters in Jabi to face questioning.
What was meant to be a high-stakes interrogation quickly turned into a street battle, as rival groups of protesters turned the anti-graft agency’s entrance into a scene of chanting, shoving, and clouds of tear gas.
Supporters vs. Critics: A Divided Street
Long before El-Rufai’s motorcade pulled up, two distinct camps had staked their ground:
- The Loyalists: Hundreds of supporters from the “El-Rufai Solidarity Front” blocked parts of the Jabi-Airport Road, waving placards that read “No to Political Witch-hunts” and “El-Rufai is our Leader.” They argued that the probe is a coordinated attempt to derail his 2027 political ambitions.
- The Accusers: On the opposite side, the “Movement for Accountability” brandished banners highlighting the N432 billion corruption allegations recently raised by the Kaduna State House of Assembly. Their chants of “Return our Money” were met with boos from the opposing camp.
Tear Gas and Collateral Damage
The situation turned ugly when supporters tried to surge past the security cordons as El-Rufai’s vehicle entered the premises. Police and EFCC security details deployed tear gas to push back the crowd.
The wind carried the stinging fumes into the nearby Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, causing panic among patients and staff. Reports from the hospital described scenes of nursing mothers and elderly patients gasping for air as the “Spy-Gate” drama outside spilled over into the medical facility.
The Legal Net Tightens
El-Rufai isn’t just answering for Kaduna’s finances today. His arrival at the EFCC comes just hours after the Federal Government officially filed a criminal suit against him at the Federal High Court. The charges? The alleged unlawful tapping of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu’s phone.
This “double-trouble” scenario marks the most significant legal challenge of El-Rufai’s career:
- EFCC Interrogation:Â Focusing on the massive misappropriation of funds alleged by his home state.
- Spy-Gate Arraignment: A federal case concerning the breach of the nation’s top security communications.
- ICPC Date: He is also expected at the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) later this week.
The Current Scene
As of Monday afternoon, El-Rufai remains inside the EFCC facility. While the former governor has always maintained his innocence—calling the moves “desperate” and “politically motivated”—the sheer scale of the protests today shows how deeply polarized the nation remains over his legacy.
Outside, the Jabi-Airport corridor remains under heavy guard, with traffic at a near standstill as security forces maintain a perimeter around the “lion’s den.”
Is this the beginning of a genuine anti-corruption push, or just a new chapter in political vendettas?
