Permanent Secretary Withdraws from Bailing El-Rufai After Threat.

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has remained in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for a third consecutive day over allegations of large-scale corruption and embezzlement during his eight-year tenure.

The ex-governor is being investigated for allegedly misappropriating more than ₦433 billion while in office between 2015 and 2023.

Sources familiar with the matter who spoke with Sahara Reporters said the EFCC initially granted El-Rufai administrative bail on 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’s office to complete the bail formalities, the agency allegedly hesitated and later declined to proceed with the arrangement.

It was further gathered that the Permanent Secretary subsequently withdrew from the process after allegedly receiving threats, raising concerns over possible intimidation and interference.

The EFCC has yet to issue an official statement on the development.

ICPC Invitation Uncertain
El-Rufai is also scheduled to appear before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on Wednesday for questioning over separate corruption allegations.

However, it remains unclear whether he will be able to honour the invitation due to his continued detention by the EFCC.

Sources said his legal team had written to the ICPC to formally notify the commission of the circumstances preventing their client from attending the interrogation.