Former presidential media aide to late ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Lauretta Onochie, has stirred fresh controversy after publicly listing what she described as alleged infractions linked to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as he continues to face scrutiny from anti-corruption authorities.
Onochie made the claims in a post shared on her X (formerly Twitter) account, referencing the ongoing investigation involving El-Rufai by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).
According to her statement, one of the allegations against the former governor involves claims that security officers were allegedly bribed to prevent his arrest at the Abuja International Airport while returning from Egypt. She further mentioned reports alleging that phone-tapping equipment was discovered at El-Rufai’s residence.
The former presidential aide also accused the prominent member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) of allegedly misappropriating Kaduna State funds during his tenure as governor.
In her post, Onochie wrote that the list of accusations against El-Rufai continues to expand, suggesting that ongoing investigations have intensified public attention on the former governor’s political and legal challenges.
Her remarks come amid what observers describe as a difficult period for El-Rufai, who has recently faced invitations and questioning by anti-graft agencies over alleged financial misconduct. The former governor had earlier interacted with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before being transferred to the ICPC for further investigation.
The unfolding situation has generated widespread political reactions, with supporters and critics engaging in heated debates over accountability, due process, and political rivalry within Nigeria’s evolving opposition landscape.
Despite the allegations circulating in the public space, legal experts emphasize that El-Rufai remains constitutionally presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a competent court of law.
As investigations continue, the developments surrounding the former Kaduna governor remain one of the most closely followed political and legal stories in Nigeria.
