By Trendsetter Tribune 
The legal pressure on former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai reached a boiling point on Monday, February 16, 2026, as he was detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) while simultaneously facing a new federal criminal suit over alleged national security breaches.
The day was marked by high drama at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, where El-Rufai’s arrival sparked clashes between rival groups of protesters and led to the use of tear gas by security forces.
The EFCC Investigation: Alleged ₦423 Billion Fraud
El-Rufai presented himself at the EFCC’s Jabi headquarters following an invitation related to his eight-year tenure as governor.
- The Indictment: The probe stems from a 2024 report by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which alleged that ₦423 billion in public funds were diverted or siphoned through mismanagement of loans and contracts.
- Detention Status: As of Monday evening, EFCC sources confirmed that the former governor remains in custody and is expected to spend the night there as interrogation continues.
- Defense: El-Rufai has consistently dismissed the Assembly’s report as a “malicious smear campaign” and a “politically motivated” attempt by the current administration to neutralize him ahead of the 2027 elections.
New Criminal Charges: The NSA Phone-Tapping Scandal
Parallel to the anti-graft investigation, the Federal Government formally filed a three-count criminal charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026) against El-Rufai in the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The charges follow a controversial interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time on Friday, February 13, where El-Rufai alleged he heard National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu ordering his arrest via an intercepted phone call.
| Count | Allegation | Legal Violation |
| Count 1 | Admitting to the unlawful interception of the NSA’s private communications. | Section 12(1), Cybercrimes Act (2024 Amendment) |
| Count 2 | Associating with individuals who intercepted the calls and failing to report them. | Section 27(b), Cybercrimes Act (2024 Amendment) |
| Count 3 | Using technical systems to compromise public safety and national security. | Section 131(2), Nigerian Communications Act (2003) |
“The government thinks they’re the only ones that listen to calls. But we also have our ways… Someone tapped his phone and told us.” — Nasir El-Rufai on Arise TV, Feb 13, 2026
Political Fallout: From APC Chieftain to “Dissident”
El-Rufai’s current predicament underscores his dramatic fallout with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Since resigning from the party and joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC) last year, he has become one of the most vocal critics of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
- Supporter Rallies: Supporters gathered at the EFCC on Monday, chanting slogans like “El-Rufai is a citizen, not a subject.”
- Passport Seizure: His media team claimed his passport was seized last Thursday during a brief detention at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport upon his return from Cairo.
The Federal High Court is expected to set a date for his formal arraignment on the cybercrime charges later this week.