Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai on Monday honoured an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for questioning over alleged corruption linked to his time in office, arriving at the agency’s Abuja headquarters alongside hundreds of supporters.
El-Rufai, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, had earlier been invited by the anti-graft agency as part of ongoing investigations into his administration.
His appearance followed last week’s incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, where he reportedly resisted an attempted arrest. In subsequent media interviews, the former governor accused the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, of being behind the move — a claim that has intensified political tensions around the case.
Security was tightened at the EFCC headquarters on Monday as supporters gathered in large numbers, leading to a standoff with security personnel. Witnesses said officers deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd after tensions escalated.
Videos circulating online captured protesters vowing to return after the dispersal, chanting that they would regroup once the situation calmed.
The EFCC has yet to issue an official statement on Monday’s developments, while the investigation into the allegations against El-Rufai is expected to continue.