Members of the Mega National Movement for Good Governance (MNMGG) staged a peaceful protest on Monday at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), demanding due process and accountability in the ongoing prosecution of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “They Must Be Held Accountable” and “No Sacred Cows in the Fight Against Corruption”, the protesters called for a thorough investigation that would ensure justice.
Speaking to journalists, MNMGG spokesperson Comrade Muhammad Abdullahi stressed that the prosecution was a lawful and constitutional matter strictly between El-Rufai and the Kaduna State Government, urging the public not to politicise the issue. He referenced the Kaduna State House of Assembly Ad-Hoc Committee Report (2024), which raised concerns about financial management, debt profile, and contract procedures under the former administration.
Abdullahi noted that some former appointees and allies of El-Rufai, including Jafaru Sani, Jimmy Lawal, Bashir Saidu, and Samuel Aruwa, were already in custody or under investigation. Citing Section 15(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), he called on the EFCC and ICPC to pursue investigations diligently and transparently.
“This is not about persecution; it is about prosecution grounded in law. The courtroom remains the proper venue for vindication. If Malam Nasir El-Rufai is confident in his integrity, then he should allow the judicial process to run its full course,” Abdullahi said.
Responding on behalf of EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, the Commission’s spokesperson Dele Oyewale assured the protesters that their petition and demands would be communicated appropriately. He reaffirmed that the EFCC would carry out its responsibilities professionally, following established processes and procedures, and urged the demonstrators to remain peaceful in exercising their constitutional rights.
This protest underscores the growing public demand for transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts, particularly in high-profile cases involving former public officials.
By Palma Ileye, Abuja
