Former Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is once again in the custody of Nigeria’s secret police, following his release from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
El-Rufai was initially detained by the anti-graft agency earlier this week over corruption-related allegations. But in a fresh twist on Wednesday night, operatives of the State Security Service immediately picked him up after he left EFCC custody. His latest detention is linked to allegations that he illegally accessed and monitored private phone conversations belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The State Security Service had earlier taken legal action against the former governor, filing cybercrime charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja, accusing him of unlawful interception of classified communications.
The development comes shortly after a separate incident at the Abuja international airport, where security officials attempted to arrest El-Rufai when he returned to Nigeria from Egypt.
Footage from the airport showed security personnel confronting the former governor and his aides, in an encounter that caused tension at the terminal. Authorities also confiscated his international passport during the operation.
Reacting publicly, El-Rufai accused the National Security Adviser of being behind the moves against him, suggesting that his arrest was politically motivated.
Meanwhile, his legal representative, Ubong Akpan, has condemned the actions of security agencies, insisting that due process was not followed.
The lawyer said his client had already indicated his willingness to cooperate with investigators and questioned the legality of the passport seizure and repeated arrests. He warned that the legal team would challenge any actions they consider unlawful in court.
As the situation continues to unfold, attention is now focused on the Federal High Court, where the cybercrime case against the former governor is expected to proceed.
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