Tension Mounts as El Rufai Reports Nosebleed in Detention

Muyiwa Adekeye, spokesperson to former Kaduna State governor Nasir el Rufai, has alleged that his principal experienced a health scare while in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

In a statement released on Monday night, Adekeye said el Rufai suffered a nosebleed during the night while being held by the anti graft agency. He also claimed that the commission did not allow one of el Rufai’s wives to hand his meal to him directly on February 17, instructing her instead to pass it through an official.

El Rufai presented himself at the EFCC headquarters on February 16 after receiving an invitation from the agency. Two days later, he was taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission following his release from the EFCC.

Both agencies are investigating allegations of financial misconduct during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023. In 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly recommended a probe into el Rufai over claims involving the alleged diversion of N423 billion in public funds and money laundering.

Adekeye further stated that el Rufai’s lawyers have not been shown any court order authorising his detention beyond 48 hours without formal charges. He added that members of his legal team and family have encountered difficulties gaining access to him.

According to the statement, the Federal Capital Territory High Court is expected to hear a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by el Rufai against the federal government, the ICPC, the EFCC and the Department of State Services.

El Rufai, a senior figure in the African Democratic Congress, is also expected to be arraigned this week over allegations that he intercepted a telephone conversation involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.

On Monday, he filed a separate suit against the ICPC, accusing the commission of unlawfully invading his residence in Abuja.

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