The Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly taken former Kaduna State governor Nasir El‑Rufai into custody, just hours after he was detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) amid overlapping legal actions by Nigeria’s major enforcement agencies.
The dramatic development unfolded in the Nigerian capital yesterday after Mr. El‑Rufai was questioned for several hours by EFCC officials at the agency’s headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, over allegations tied to a ₦432 billion corruption probe linked to his eight‑year administration in Kaduna State.
Security sources confirmed that after initially responding to the EFCC invitation on Monday morning, Mr. El‑Rufai was detained late into the night as investigations continued. By Tuesday, the situation took an unexpected turn when the DSS reportedly intervened, taking the former governor from EFCC custody — an action that has fueled fresh controversy and legal debate.
Allegations and Charges
The DSS has filed a three‑count criminal charge against Mr. El‑Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja, accusing him of unlawfully intercepting the phone communications of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu — an offence the prosecution says was admitted during a television appearance on 13 February.
The counts, filed under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act 2024 and the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, allege that Mr. El‑Rufai “with others still at large” used technical systems to intercept communications and thereby posed a threat to national security.
Wider Reaction and Protest
Ahead of the EFCC proceedings, civil society groups and supporters of the former governor staged protests outside the anti‑graft agency’s headquarters, demanding clarity on the probe and adherence to due process.
Separately, the DSS has reportedly reopened investigations into cold cases tied to alleged human rights abuses from Mr. El‑Rufai’s tenure as governor — including the 2019 disappearance of critic Abubakar Idris, widely known as “Dadiyata.”
Political and Legal Implications
The coordinated actions by EFCC and DSS signal an intensification of government scrutiny of the former governor, who has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and described some aspects of the enforcement efforts as politically motivated.
Legal analysts say the dual custody actions — first by the EFCC for corruption‑related inquiries and subsequently by the DSS on separate cybercrime and national security charges — present complex constitutional questions regarding jurisdiction and the limits of state power. Observers have also warned that the high‑profile case could further strain Nigeria’s political landscape in the months ahead.
Next Steps
As of this report, Mr. El‑Rufai is expected to remain in custody pending further court proceedings. No official hearing date has been released, and both the EFCC and DSS have yet to issue detailed public statements on the timing of any arraignment or bail considerations.
