EFCC Quizzes El-Rufai, Defends Use of Tear Gas on Protesters
•February 17, 2026
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Why It Matters
The high‑profile interrogation underscores Nigeria’s intensified anti‑corruption drive and tests the balance between political influence and rule of law, while the violent protest highlights public sensitivity to perceived selective enforcement.
Key Takeaways
- •EFCC interrogated former Kaduna governor Nasiru El‑Rufai.
- •Protesters stormed EFCC HQ, were tear‑gassed to disperse.
- •EFCC defended force as lawful crowd control measure.
- •Counter‑protest demanded impartial investigation of alleged fund mismanagement.
- •El‑Rufai remains in custody pending questioning.
Pulse Analysis
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nigeria’s premier anti‑graft agency, has escalated its scrutiny of former state leaders by summoning ex‑Kaduna governor Nasiru El‑Rufai for a formal interview. El‑Rufai, who served two terms from 2015 to 2023, faces accusations of diverting public resources and failing to account for large‑scale projects. This move follows a series of high‑profile probes that have targeted ministers, legislators, and business magnates, signalling the EFCC’s intent to broaden its investigative net beyond current office‑holders. Analysts view the summons as a litmus test for the agency’s independence under President Tinubu’s administration.
The invitation quickly turned volatile when two groups of El‑Rufai supporters converged on the EFCC’s Jabi headquarters, demanding the former governor’s release and accusing the commission of political bias. Security personnel responded with tear‑gas canisters after repeated warnings, a decision the agency publicly justified as essential to maintain order and protect the interrogation process. While the dispersal restored calm, the incident sparked a debate over the proportionality of force in crowd control, especially given Nigeria’s fragile history of protest suppression and the constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
Beyond the immediate drama, the episode may reshape Nigeria’s political calculus ahead of the 2027 elections. A credible, transparent investigation into El‑Rufai could reinforce the EFCC’s credibility and deter future misuse of public funds, whereas perceived heavy‑handedness might fuel anti‑establishment sentiment and embolden opposition movements. Civil society groups, such as the Mega National Movement for Good Governance, are already calling for an impartial review, highlighting the growing demand for accountability across party lines. The outcome will likely influence how other former officials approach legal scrutiny and could set a precedent for handling high‑profile corruption cases.
EFCC quizzes El-Rufai, defends use of tear gas on protesters
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday interrogated the former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasiru El‑Rufai, over allegations of mismanagement of public funds during his eight‑year tenure from 2015 to 2023.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain honoured an invitation by the commission, days after a failed attempt to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja last Thursday.
Ubong Akpan, counsel to El‑Rufai, said the EFCC invitation was received while he was overseas. He has long defended his client, stressing that there was no basis for the attempted arrest, while insisting on the former governor’s passport.
While El‑Rufai heeded the invitation, two groups of protesters stormed the EFCC headquarters to support the former governor. Some were chanting solidarity songs, others were calling for a thorough investigation.
A mild drama occurred when some of the persons who accompanied El‑Rufai were prevented from entering the commission’s office in Jabi, Abuja. They were tear‑gassed by the operatives of the anti‑graft commission after ignoring repeated calls to leave.
“The protesters who came to the EFCC headquarters came in the exercise of their lawful constitutional right; I addressed them.
“They said El‑Rufai should make himself accountable. After addressing them, what is the next thing to do? They are supposed to go,” Oyewale said, defending the act.
He explained that when El‑Rufai arrived in a long convoy, the commission reminded the crowd that only the former governor had been invited, and they should depart.
“They resisted all our efforts to let them get back. So in law enforcement, when you have such a situation, you have to disperse them. There is nothing unusual about that,” Oyewale added.
Videos circulating on social media showed chaotic scenes outside the EFCC headquarters, with supporters waving placards reading “We stand with El‑Rufai. We stand for law” and “El‑Rufai is a citizen, not a subject” amid clouds of tear gas.
Oyewale confirmed that calm had returned and that El‑Rufai remained in EFCC custody for questioning.
“Of course, they are gone now. Everywhere is calm. El‑Rufai is here, he is facing our interrogation,” he said.
Meanwhile, a counter‑protest organised by the Mega National Movement for Good Governance also gathered outside the EFCC, holding banners such as “El‑Rufai cannot hide behind politics; let the law catch up” and “Answer the charge, El‑Rufai.”
Muhammad Abdullahi, a member of the group, urged the EFCC to conduct a thorough, impartial investigation, saying, “If those who served in that administration are subjecting themselves to due process, it is only proper that the former governor does the same without politicising the process,” he said.
The EFCC emphasised that dispersing the crowd was a necessary measure to ensure that lawful procedures were not obstructed, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to due process and unbiased investigation.
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