Northern Christians Accord (NCA), has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged misappropriation of N423 billion.
In a statement signed by its President, Barr. Gideon Jato, and Secretary, Bro. Sunday Adoka, the group expressed dissatisfaction with the anti-graft agency’s inaction despite multiple petitions and an indictment by the Kaduna State House of Assembly.
The Assembly’s ad-hoc committee, which investigated El-Rufai’s eight-year administration, accused him and some officials of financial mismanagement, including irregular contract awards and questionable handling of domestic and foreign loans.
The legislative body recommended that law enforcement agencies probe the former governor and his associates.
Following this indictment, in July 2024, a civil society group, Kaduna Citizens Watch for Good Governance (KCWGG), petitioned both the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate El-Rufai.
However, seven months later, no arrests have been made, prompting fresh calls for action.
The NCA accused the EFCC of selective prosecution, citing its swift pursuit of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello over similar allegations, despite the Kogi Assembly not indicting him.
The group warned that failure to act against El-Rufai would be seen as a sign of bias in Nigeria’s justice system.
“We will not hesitate to raise awareness about this complacency both locally and internationally,” the group stated.
“If necessary, we will mobilize our members across the 19 northern states to protest at the EFCC headquarters and the National Assembly.”
