EXCLUSIVE: El-Rufai Still Held by EFCC as Key Surety Withdraws Over Alleged Threats
Story: Written by Myra February 18,2026
Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, remains in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following a setback in his bail process, sources have disclosed.
According to officials familiar with the matter, the EFCC had earlier approved administrative bail, with the condition that a Permanent Secretary and a Director in a federal ministry stand as sureties. However, when the Permanent Secretary reportedly arrived at the commission to finalise the process, the arrangement stalled and was eventually abandoned.
It was gathered that the Permanent Secretary later pulled out entirely after allegedly receiving threats, raising concerns about possible intimidation surrounding the case.
El-Rufai is also expected to appear before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) today (Wednesday) for questioning over separate corruption allegations. His continued detention by the EFCC, however, makes it unclear whether he can honour the invitation. His legal team has reportedly written to the ICPC to formally explain the situation.
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) has filed criminal charges against the former governor at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The case, marked FHC/CR/99/2026, was instituted in the name of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with El-Rufai listed as the sole defendant. The charge sheet is dated February 16, 2026.
Court documents indicate that the DSS is relying on statements El-Rufai allegedly made during a televised interview on February 13, 2026, while appearing on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme in Abuja.
In Count One, prosecutors allege that El-Rufai admitted to unlawfully intercepting the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, an offence said to be contrary to Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
Count Two alleges that he acknowledged knowing and associating with individuals involved in the alleged interception but failed to report them to security agencies, contrary to Section 27(b) of the same Act.
Count Three further accuses El-Rufai and others still at large of using technical systems that allegedly compromised public safety and national security by intercepting the NSA’s communications, in violation of Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
The prosecution team includes Ernest O.M., Owan O.M., U.M. Bulla, C.S. Eze (PhD), and E.G. Orubor, acting on behalf of the DSS.
