The former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, may have been poisoned while in the custody of the EFCC. Reports say the bleeding could be linked to harmful substances allegedly smuggled into Nigeria to target political opponents.
Muyiwa Adekeye said El-Rufai had a nosebleed overnight while being held by the EFCC. He also said El-Rufai’s wife was not allowed to give him a meal directly on February 17; it had to be handed to him through EFCC staff.
Adekeye added that El-Rufai’s lawyers have not seen any official order to keep him in detention beyond 48 hours without charges. The family and legal team are reportedly struggling to get access to him.
El-Rufai voluntarily went to the EFCC headquarters on February 16. Two days later, he was taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) after being released by the EFCC.
Both agencies are investigating him over alleged financial misconduct during his tenure as Kaduna governor from 2015 to 2023. In 2024, the Kaduna State Assembly accused him of diverting N423 billion in public funds and money laundering, asking anti-graft agencies to investigate.
