Former presidential media aide to late ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Lauretta Onochie, has reignited public debate following new allegations she levelled against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, amid his ongoing investigation by anti-corruption agencies.
Onochie made the claims through a post on her X (formerly Twitter) account, referencing the continued probe of the former governor by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).
According to her statement, one of the allegations involves claims that certain security operatives were allegedly bribed to prevent El-Rufai’s arrest at the Abuja International Airport while he was reportedly returning from Egypt. She also cited reports concerning the alleged discovery of phone-tapping equipment at the former governor’s residence.
The former presidential aide further accused the prominent member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) of allegedly mismanaging Kaduna State funds during his tenure as governor.
Onochie noted that the number of allegations surrounding El-Rufai continues to grow, adding that ongoing investigations have intensified national attention on his political and legal challenges.
Her remarks come at a time when El-Rufai is facing heightened scrutiny following engagements with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before his case was transferred to the ICPC for further investigation into alleged financial misconduct.
The developments have sparked widespread political reactions across Nigeria, with supporters and critics debating issues surrounding accountability, due process, and political rivalry within the country’s opposition space.
Despite the allegations circulating in the public domain, legal analysts maintain that Nasir El-Rufai remains presumed innocent under Nigerian law until proven guilty by a competent court.
As investigations progress, the situation surrounding the former Kaduna governor continues to rank among Nigeria’s most closely watched political and anti-corruption cases.
