HOW EL-RUFAI EARMARKED $600,000 TO PAY EFCC OFFICERS, INTERMEDIARIES — DSS WITNESS TELLS COURT

A witness from the Department of State Services (DSS) has told a Federal High Court that former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, allegedly earmarked $600,000 to pay officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and intermediaries in a bid to influence an ongoing investigation.

The El-Rufai $600,000 EFCC officers allegation was made during cross-examination in a case that has drawn significant public attention.

THE TESTIMONY

The DSS witness, whose identity was not disclosed for security reasons, told the court that El-Rufai had confided in him about the payment.

According to the witness, El-Rufai said he had “settled” the EFCC officers and intermediaries to ensure that the investigation into his activities did not proceed as planned.

The witness claimed that El-Rufai mentioned specific amounts and indicated that the money had been disbursed.

The testimony is part of an ongoing trial that has seen the former governor face allegations of corruption and abuse of office.

THE DENIAL

El-Rufai’s legal team has denied the allegations, describing them as politically motivated and lacking credible evidence. His counsel argued that the witness’s testimony was hearsay and should not be relied upon by the court.

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The EFCC has not publicly commented on the specific allegation of bribery involving its officers.

WHY IT MATTERS

The allegation, if substantiated, would represent a serious breach of the integrity of Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework. It would suggest that EFCC officers may have been compromised in the course of an investigation.

For El-Rufai, the testimony adds to the legal and political pressures he has faced since leaving office in 2023. For the EFCC, it raises questions about internal accountability that the commission has yet to address publicly. ValidViewNetwork reports that the trial continues.