ABUJA — In a dramatic twist to the ongoing high-stakes legal battle, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly granted administrative bail to the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
However, the “freedom” of the former “Power Minister” remains hanging by a thread. As of late Tuesday evening, February 17, 2026, El-Rufai was still within the walls of the EFCC’s Jabi headquarters, as a heavy deployment of Department of State Services (DSS) operatives reportedly took up strategic positions around the facility, sparking fears of an immediate “commando-style” re-arrest the moment he steps out.
The Bail and the Blockade
El-Rufai, who voluntarily honored an EFCC invitation on Monday morning, spent over 30 hours being grilled by a specialized team of investigators. Sources indicate the bail was granted after his legal team met preliminary conditions, but the atmosphere remains suffocatingly tense.
While the EFCC is focused on the ₦423 billion misappropriation probe stemming from his eight-year tenure in Kaduna, the DSS is reportedly waiting to “claim” him for a separate investigation. This involves the bombshell cybercrime charges filed against him on Monday for allegedly bugging the phone of National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, as well as his recent explosive claims regarding the importation of “Polish Poison” into Nigeria.
“The Hunter Becomes the Hunted”—Nigerians React with Fury
The sight of the former “untouchable” Governor being squeezed by two of the nation’s most powerful agencies has triggered a firestorm of criticism across the country. Nigerians have not held back, with many viewing the “double-teaming” of the EFCC and DSS as a blatant political hit-job.
- “Executive Hostage-Taking”: Critics of the President Bola Tinubu administration have blasted the move as “political thuggery.” “When you have the EFCC at the front door and the DSS at the back door, it is no longer an investigation; it is a hostage situation,” one popular Abuja-based analyst noted. “They aren’t looking for justice; they are looking for submission.”
- “A Bitter Taste of Karma”: Conversely, some Nigerians have pointed out the irony of El-Rufai’s plight, reminding him of his own history of arresting critics without warrants. “He taught the system how to be ruthless; now the system is showing him exactly what he taught it,” a viral post on X (formerly Twitter) read.
- The “Shadow War” Critique: Many citizens are simply exhausted by the elite “civil war.” “While the common man is starving and the North is burning, our leaders are busy bugging each other’s phones and trading ‘poison letters.’ It’s a national disgrace,” another resident lamented.
The “Bestie” Fallout
The standoff is the climax of a messy divorce between El-Rufai and his former close ally, Nuhu Ribadu. What began as a “Bestie” era of reform has devolved into a web of wiretaps, toxin allegations, and multi-billion naira probes.
As of 7:15 PM tonight, El-Rufai’s lawyers are frantically verifying sureties, but even if the bail is perfected, the presence of the DSS on standby suggests that the former Governor’s walk to freedom may only last as far as the agency’s parking lot.
