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Tag: el-Rufai

  • Protesters demand El-Rufai’s arrest over alleged N423bn fraud

    Protesters demand El-Rufai’s arrest over alleged N423bn fraud

    Protesters, under the auspices of Kaduna Citizens Watch for Good Governance (KCWGG), on Thursday stormed the Kaduna Government House, asking Governor Uba Sani to invite officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other relevant security agencies to arrest and prosecute former Governor Nasir El-Rufai over his indictment of N423 billion.

    The protesters who began trekking around 11am from UTC bus stop that leads to the Government House, sang solidarity songs for Sani, condemning alleged financial mismanagement, abuse of powe and a growing debt burden for the past eight years by El-Rufai administration.

    On March 30, 2024, Sani revealed during a town hall meeting that the State faced a substantial debt burden of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities inherited from the previous administration. He said this led to over 70% of the state’s allocation being used to service the inherited debt. 

    In response, the Kaduna Assembly formed an ad-hoc committee to investigate the state’s financial transactions from May 29th, 2015 to May 29th, 2023. 

    The committee, led by Barrister Henry Danjuma Magaji, submitted its findings on June 5th, 2024, revealing significant unaccounted funds and irregularities in financial transactions. The report highlighted mismanagement of funds, diversion of loans, overpayment of contractors, and lack of transparency in the usage of state funds.

    While addressing journalists shortly after arriving Government House, the chairman of the protesting group, Comrade Victor Duniya said: “We, the Kaduna citizens watch for good governance , appreciate your presence as we express our grievances today. Our state has endured financial mismanagement, abuse of power, and a growing debt burden for the past eight years.

    “The most troubling finding was the diversion of 10.5 billion naira meant for pastoral nomadism and the construction of the Milk Industry at Damau, Kubau LGA, for the construction of Galaxy Mall, Kaduna. Additionally, the report uncovered overpayments to contractors, payments to unregistered companies, and funds disbursed for work not completed, amounting to over 36.3 billion.

    Read Also: Kwari: Caught in Web of Sani/El-Rufai feud

    “The report also revealed large sums of money withdrawn from the state treasury without proper documentation of its usage. Furthermore, an expenditure of over 11 billion on a non-existent MRT transportation scheme was documented with no evidence to support it.

    “While we were struggling to come to terms with the voodoo former Governor El-Rufai and his cabinet members deployed to cover the faces of Kaduna people from seeing all these atrocities, El-Rufai in his characteristically lousy manner, gathered members of his well-fed family to Sallah feast where he tacitly called on them in Hausa Language to bring down the government of Senator Uba Sani, which we believe it is as a result of the sin of allowing the legislative arm of government to work for the first time in over 8 years.

    “As concerned citizens, we condemn in the strongest terms possible the outright and merciless looting of our state, which has widened the poverty gap in the state by the immediate past administration.

    “We commend Governor Uba Sani for holding on to the ideals of the democracy he worked for by not interfering in the activities of the Kaduna State House, as many people expected you to stop the legislative arm of government from doing their work, as it was done in the past.

    “We commend Governor Uba Sani for running an open government, where regular consultations are carried out with various stakeholders, especially during town hall meetings.

    “We commend the Kaduna Assembly for the thorough work done in unravelling the financial atrocities committed against our state, despite blackmails and threat from the beneficiaries of the financial heist. 

    “We call on Governor Uba Sani to implement relevant sections of the report that fall under his purview.

    “We call on the Governor to officially forward the findings of the committee report to relevant anti-corruption agencies to enable them to swing into action and recover our resources at their disposal.

    “We assure you of our maximum support, as we are aware that those who ought to be behind bars for looting our state now have the effrontery to dish out threats to the people-centered leadership of our dear state.

    “We call on security agencies to immediately arrest and prosecute former governor Nasir El-Rufai and those he has incited to bring down the government of Senator Uba Sani.

    “We appreciate your peaceful presence in our endeavor to bring positive change to our beloved state, despite the challenging weather conditions”.

  • El-Rufai visits Kaduna amidst N423b fraud indictment

    El-Rufai visits Kaduna amidst N423b fraud indictment

    Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai yesterday joined issues with his successor Governor Uba Sani, saying the latter “will fall like candy after prancing”.

    Sani’s spokesman Muhammad Lawal Shehu declined comment when contacted for reaction. “No comment”, he said.

    El-Rufai retuned to Kaduna barely two weeks after he and his commissioners were indicted by the State House of Assembly for allegedly misappropriating N423 billion between May 29, 2015 and May 29, 2023.

    The former governor, who met with his political associates and followers at his Alimi Road residence where he celebrated the Eid-al-Adha, said he remained unperturbed by the ongoing probe of his administration by the House of Assembly.

    Read Also: Kwankwaso lauds Yusuf’s transformative leadership in Kano

    El-Rufai in a short video clip that went viral after the meeting, predicted that the probe of his government will not yield any result.

    He urged his followers (in sarcasm) to pray for the new Governor (Uba Sani) and his cabinet to do the right thing, the former governor said in Hausa.

    At a town hall meeting in Kaduna on March 30, Sani said his administration inherited a huge debt burden of $587 million, N85 billion, and N115 billion contractual liabilities from the administration of El-Rufai.

    He also lamented that due to the rise in the exchange rate, the state was paying back almost triple of what was borrowed by the previous administration.

  • El-Rufai’s silence not golden

    El-Rufai’s silence not golden

    Sir: On Wednesday last week, the Kaduna State House of Assembly indicted former governor, Nasir El-Rufai and several of his aides for allegedly siphoning over N423 billion of the state’s resources from 2015 to 2023. Presenting the report during plenary, the chairman of the 13-member ad hoc committee and the Deputy Speaker of the House, Magaji Henry Danjuma, said most of the loans obtained under the El-Rufai administration were not used for their intended purposes.

    Since the shocking findings by the assembly, the ex-governor has been uncharacteristically quiet. Though, his former aides and son Bashir have kicked against the allegations, describing the probe and the finding as baseless and politically motivated, the former governor has to do the needful to clear his name.  The huge amount of funds said to have been squandered under his watch demand full explanation if only to establish his innocence.

    Read Also: Murder allegation: Court orders Kano to pay Doguwa N25m damages

    Nigerians might want to recall that the same El-Rufai, had during an interview with BBC Hausa service while still in office, accused the past PDP government of mismanaging billions of naira loans. At the time, he also challenged whoever accused his government of diverting the state’s loans to look at the infrastructural development executed across the nooks and crannies of the state.

    Governor Uba Sani has since come under barrage of attacks for being complicit in the loans debacle. This is because, in 2019 when Governor Uba Sani was in the senate, he actually facilitated the loans. This was after earlier attempt by the ex-governor were scuttled by senators Suleiman Hunkuyi and Shehu Sani, representing Kaduna North and Kaduna Central respectively in the 8th National Assembly. Not only did El-Rufai curse those two senators for not endorsing the loans request, but ensured they did not return to the senate. Later, Senator Uba Sani and Abdu Kwari who found their way to the 9th Senate through the support of El-Rufai, would assists his government to obtain the loans with relatively ease.

    Governor Uba Sani has since countered that he facilitated the loans in good faith, believing the ex-governor will judiciously utilise the funds.

    Although, El-Rufai supporters and associates have described the probe as politically motivated, it is high time the former governor broke silence on the weighty allegations against his government. The state House of Assembly committee’s recommendations which advised government to refer those indicted to relevant anti-graft agencies is certainly in order. The brazen abuse of office being alleged should not be swept under the carpet. If the ex-governor has no skeleton in his cupboard, this is the time to break silence in defence of his government.

     •Ibrahim Mustapha,Pambegua Kaduna State.

  • Alleged N423b ‘fraud’: EFCC raises team to probe El-Rufai, others

    Alleged N423b ‘fraud’: EFCC raises team to probe El-Rufai, others

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raised a team of operatives to probe alleged mismanagement of N423 billion by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and some key members of his government.

    It was learnt that the former governor will soon be invited for questioning.

    Others slated for interrogation are those who served as Finance commissioners from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023; all the accountants-general in the eight years that his administration lasted and the chairmen of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) from 2018 to 2023.

    Others are all the managing directors of the Kaduna Market Development and Management Company Ltd from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023; and all the Managing Directors of Kaduna Roads Agency (KADRA) from October 11, 2017, to November 2021 except Amina Ja’afar Ladan, an engineer who spent only one month in office.

    More revelations have been made on the alleged corruption during El-Rufai’s tenure.

    The Ad-Hoc Committee of the Kaduna House of Assembly uncovered that about N423,115,028,072.88 was siphoned from the coffers of the state government from 2015 to 2023.

    It also spotted a cumulative withdrawal of $1.4 million from the Kaduna State Economic Transformation Account.

    The House panel has asked eight people and companies to refund N19, 239,511,099.76

    It has also recommended that 15 contractors should refund N36, 351,126,811.65 as “being monies paid for work either not done, overpayment or diversion”.

    The committee said that although the value of contracts awarded from 1999 to 2023 by el-Rufai’s administration was N510,407,166,975.39, it only paid N198,921,880,169.04 to contractors.

    Investigations by our correspondent showed that a Special Task Force was assigned to look into a petition by a Non-Governmental Organisation mainly on the findings of the Kaduna State House of Assembly.

    It was learnt that the team immediately swung into action yesterday for a review and isolation of the allegations against the ex-governor, some past commissioners and aides.

    A top source, who spoke with our correspondent, said: “We are in receipt of a petition from an NGO. So, we have started investigation in the matters raised in the petition.

    “The report of the Ad-Hoc Committee of the Kaduna State House of Assembly is also handy. We will soon invite el-Rufai and some members of his team for interrogation.

    “The Special Task Force on Monday (yesterday) held a long session on the contents of the petition and the report of the Ad-Hoc Committee.”

    The source added: “The report of the House of Assembly has actually laid a solid foundation for the probe by our team.”

    EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Dele Oyewale, was unavailable to respond to our correspondent’s enquiries last night.

    But there were revelations in the report of the Ad-Hoc Committee that were not in the public domain.

    The committee has asked eight people and companies to refund N19, 239,511,099.76.

    It has also directed 15 contractors to refund N36, 351,126,811.65 “being monies paid for work either not done, overpayment or diversion”.

    The report also clarified that at the time el-Rufai took over on May 29, 2015, all domestic loans had been re-paid by the previous administration.

    It also established that between 1965 and 31st December 2014, the total foreign loans as contained in the handover note of the state to el-Rufai stood at $234 million.

    But within eight years of el-Rufai’s tenure, Kaduna State’s liability on domestic and foreign loans amounted to N98,912,000,000.00 and $758,141,699 respectively.

    The committee findings indicated that most of the loans were obtained without due process and not utilised for the purpose they were meant for.

    The report said in part: “The Committee has established the following: That between 1965 and 31st December 2014, the total foreign loans as contained in the handover note of the state were $234 million before the inception of the last administration which is May 29, 2015.

    “That on 29th May, 2015, when His Excellency Mallam Nasir El-Rufai took over the governance of the state, all domestic loans had been paid by the previous administration and therefore no liability on domestic loans was handed over to him as shown in the signed handing over notes dully signed by both outgoing and the incoming governors.

    “That when His Excellency, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai took over governance of Kaduna State, the mopped-up cash in the state paid into the TSA amounted to N34,000,000,000.00 only.

    “That between May 2015 and May 2023, the Government of Kaduna State incurred liability on domestic and foreign loans to the tune of N98,912,000,000.00 and $758,141,699 respectively and a majority of them were obtained without due process and not utilised for the purpose they were obtained.

    “That, the total Revenue (Loans, FAAC, IGR, Grants, Refunds and  Intervention) received by the Kaduna State Government from 29th May, 2015 to 29th May, 2023 amounted to N1,497,682,993.375 and $758,141,699.

    Read Also: FG, States, LGs share N1.143tr for May 2024

    “That through the use of unauthorised debit cards, the Ministry of Finance in collaboration with officers of KADIRS, withdrew through 3rd parties the sum of N721,672,854.88 from the IGR account of the state.

    “That, the Ministry of Finance in collaboration with KADIRS siphoned the sum of N30,000,000,000.00 from the Internally Generated Revenue account of the State.

    “That the total value of the contracts awarded by the Kaduna State Government from 29th May, 2015 to 29th May, 2023 amounted to N510,407,166,975.39 only, out of this alleged amount, only the sum of N198,921,880,169.04 was paid to Contractors.

    “That the total contractual liabilities found by the committee as of 29th May, 2023 stand at the sum of N311,485,286,806.35 and $26,284,595.53 (USD) respectively.

    “That the public liability (Gratuity and Pension) as of 29th May, 2023 stood at N23,993,700,494.91.

    “That, the liability of the Kaduna State Government to the Consultants engaged between 29th May 2015 and 29th May 2023 is N602,026,388.55.

    “That the total amount of moneys withdrawn by the Commissioner of Finance and Accountant-General stood at N4,936,916,333.00 and $1.4 million

    “That, the total amount of money siphoned by the Government of Kaduna State from 29th May, 2015 to 29th May, 2023 is N423,115,028,072.88.”

    The Ad-Hoc Committee also made some recommendations to Governor Uba Sani, including the repudiation of some questionable loans.

    The report said: “The Committee has come to the conclusion that evidence has shown several cases of corruption in the running of the affairs of the government, ministries, departments and agencies in Kaduna State from 29th May 2015 to 29th May 2023 and hereby recommends as follows:

    •To direct the Kaduna Internal Revenue Service to withdraw the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) Account domiciled at a commercial bank as Security for N20,000,000,000.00 guaranteed in 2023 forthwith and to request the bank to refund all monies deducted on account of the purported illegal guarantee together with the accrued interest thereof.

    • That all loans (Domestic and Foreign) obtained by the Kaduna State Government from 29th May, 2015 to 29th May, 2023 and found by the Committee to have been obtained without due process are not binding on the State and the State Government should henceforth stop honouring all obligations arising from them.

    • That the contractors (15) listed hereunder should refund to the Kaduna State Government a total sum of N36,351,126,811.65 being monies paid for work either not done, overpayment or diversion.

    • That the total amount to be refunded to the state government by the under-listed persons (8) is N19,239,511,099.76.

    • That the Governor of Kaduna State between 29th May, 2015 to 29th May, 2023 as the Chief Executive Officer of the state breached his Oath of Office contained in the 7th Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and failed to exercise due diligence in the administration of the state, thereby indulged in plunging the state into unwarranted, unjustified and fraudulent Domestic and Foreign Debts over and above the total Loans obtained by Kaduna State from 1965 to 1999 and majority of which were obtained without due process.

    • Reckless awards of contracts without due process and due execution, leading to several abandoned projects despite payments.

    • Authorised the humongous withdrawals of cash both in naira and dollars with no records of utilisation and denied the state of the needed resources for development.

    • Complicit activities with commissioners and heads of parastatals to defraud the state by issuing directives to KADPPA to circumvent due process in the payment of Contractors vide letter dated 21st June 2021.

  • Probe: El-Rufai, ex-commissioners ‘mismanaged N423b,’ says Kaduna Assembly

    Probe: El-Rufai, ex-commissioners ‘mismanaged N423b,’ says Kaduna Assembly

    Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and his aides blew N423 billion in eight years, the State House of Assembly alleged yesterday.

    It urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the former governor and his appointees for unauthorised cash withdrawals in dollar and naira.

    It alleged receipt of loans without and withdrawals from accounts without following due process.

    But the ex-governor described the report as “jaundiced and politically-motivated”, promising to “respond roboustly” after getting the full report.

    The House received the report of the ad hoc committee set up to investigate all finances, loans and contracts awarded by the former governor.

    The report indicted El-Rufai and many of his commissioners and aides.

    The House alleged that N423 billion of the state resources was siphoned under El-Rufa’i.

    It mandated Governor Uba Sani to refer the former governor and others indicted aides to relevant security agencies for investigation.

    Chairman of the ad-hoc committee and Deputy Speaker, Henry Magaji Danjuma, presented the report during plenary yesterday.

    The report alleged that most of the loans obtained by the El-Rufai Administration were not used for the purpose for which they were secured, while due process was not followed in some cases.

    The Speaker, Yusuf Liman, said the past administration’s financial activities left the state with huge liabilities.

    The report was adopted and its recommendations were forwarded to the governor for immediate action.

    Part of the recommendations is that the governor should suspend immediately commissioner for finance Shizzer Nasara Bada, who played the same role during the El-Rufai Administration.

    The House alleged that the humongous withdrawals of cash in naira and dollar from the state’s coffers had no supporting records of utilisation.

    It further alleged that El-Rufa’i connived with commissioners and heads of parastatals to defraud the state by issuing directives to the Kaduna Public Procurement Agency (KADPPA) to circumvent due process in the payment to contractors.

    The report says: “The Governor of Kaduna State, between 29th May 2015 to 29th May 2023 as the Chief Executive Officer of the State, breached his oath of office contained in the 7th Schedule to the Constitution and failed to exercise due discretion in the administration of the state.

    “He indulged in plunging the state into unwanted, unjustified and fraudulent domestic and foreign debts over and above the total loans obtained by Kaduna State from 1965 to 1999 majority of which were obtained without due process.”

    The House accused him of reckless award of contracts without due process and execution, leading to several abandoned projects despite payments.

    The House alleged that some government contractors were overpaid, while others collected money without executing the projects.

    It asked the contractors to refund N36.3 billion to the state government, being either overpayments, monies paid for work not done and funds diverted.

    The committee recommended that the current Commissioner for Finance, Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the Executive Secretary of the State Pension Bureau should step aside to allow for proper investigation into the activities of the ministry and agencies.

    The House said it has evidence of several cases of corruption in the running of the affairs of the government, ministries, departments and agencies from May 29, 2015 to May 29, 2023.

    It recommended that all those who served as finance commissioners and accountant-generals within the period be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for thorough investigation.

    It also identified chairmen of Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) from 2018 to 2023 for referral to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

    Those in service asked to step aside are the Commissioner of Finance, Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Executive Secretary of the State Pension Bureau, and Managing Directors of the Kaduna Market Development and Management Company Ltd.

    Also to be referred for probe is the coordinator of the Kaduna Irrigation Programmes for the cultivation of Wheat at Ruwan Sanyi, Kubau Local Government Area in 2016 or thereabout.

    The House added: “That, Ms. Dolapo Popoola, the immediate past Managing Director of ALL KAPSCO whose where about is not known, be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for investigation into her handling of the affairs of the company and for the recovery of all government properties in her possession.

    “That Mr. Muyiwa Adekeye, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Kaduna State on Media and Communication be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for investigation on his involvement in the contracts in Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC).

    Read Also: JUST IN: El-Rufai slams Kaduna Assembly’s embezzlement allegations

    “That, all the Managing Directors of Kaduna Roads Agency (KADRA) from 11th October 2017 to November 2021 except Engineer Amina Ja’afar Ladan who only spent a month in office, be referred for in-depth investigation into their roles in the award and poor execution of contracts during their tenure, while management and senior staff of the agency be redeployed to other relevant ministries and agencies.”

    The House said there were unjustified cash withdrawals to the tune of N4,936,916,333.00 between 2019 to 2022 by the finance commissioner and the Accountant General, as well as $1.4 Million from the Kaduna State Economic Transformation Account.

    The House asked for the recovery of N632,456,000.00 paid to Tulip Future Associates Ltd without official engagement as consultants.

    The report adds: “That, the sum of N80,000,000.00 only paid to EDI-JEN CO. LTD on the 3rd of March, 2023 as imprest while he was not a government employee be recovered by the Kaduna State Government.

    “That, the sum of N757,426,000.00 only paid by the Ministry of Finance…in the name of Sarkin Ayuka Global Resources Ltd, being excess gains in the exchange of the sum of $2,600.000.00, be recovered and paid into the Kaduna State Consolidated Revenue Fund Account.

    “That the sum of N1,412,031,860.00 only which the committee found was fraudulently paid into the Account of MISHA Travels Agency by the Accountant General of the State be recovered and paid into the Kaduna State Consolidated Revenue Fund Account.

    “That, the sum of N333,000,000.00 paid to ALMASS MULTI LINKS VENTURES be recovered.

    “That the total amount to be refunded to the state government by the underlisted persons is as follows: Bashir Saidu, Shizzer Nasara Bada, Tulip Future Associates Ltd, EDI-JEN CO. LTD, Sarkin Ayuka Global Resources Ltd, Misha Travels, ALMASS MULTI LINKS VENTURES, Nuren Mumeen, Damola Uzosike Chinedu. Total: $19,239,511,099.76.”

    The House said there were withdrawals from the Kaduna State Economic Transformation Account (Shizzer Nasara Bada) totalling $1,400,000.00 23. 24.

    The Assembly, on April 16, passed a resolution to probe the last administration.

    It stated: “The Kaduna State House of Assembly at its 150th sitting on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, resolved and constituted an ad-hoc committee to investigate loans, financial transactions, contractual liabilities and other related matters of the government of Kaduna State from 29th May 2015 to 29th May 2023.”

    A 13-member committee was mandated to comprehensively review the state’s financials under El-Rufai.

  • Ex-governor: allegations jaundiced, probe a hatchet job

    Ex-governor: allegations jaundiced, probe a hatchet job

    Ex- Governor El-Rufai, yesterday described as jaundiced the report of the state House of Assembly which indicted him.

    He asked Nigerians to disregard the allegation that he and his aides siphoned N423 billion.

    He said the Assembly’s ad-hoc committee reached predetermined conclusions.

    The former governor insisted that his records of sterling performance in public and private positions cannot be altered with malicious effort.

    According to him, he served Kaduna with integrity and to the best of his capacity.

    El-Rufai, in a statement by his media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, said the Assembly departed from decency and fairness.

    The statement reads: “We are aware of news that the Kaduna State House of Assembly has adopted the report of the ad-hoc committee it asked to probe the El-Rufai government.

    “We have not been availed a copy of the report, to which we would respond robustly whenever we obtain it.

    “We affirm the integrity of the El-Rufai government and dismiss the scandalous claims being aired as the report of the committee.”

    El-Rufai said his outstanding performance in office cannot be altered with malice.

    The statement added: “Malam Nasir El-Rufai is immensely proud of his record of governance and the legacy he left in Kaduna State.

    Read Also: Open letter to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf

    “This record of consistently high performance in public and private office cannot be altered by any malicious effort to use the auspices of a state legislature for defamation and undeserved smears.

    “Many of the officials who served in the El-Rufai government appeared before the ad-hoc committee because of their confidence in the quality of their service and the rectitude with which they served Kaduna State.”

    He faulted the House for being unfair and indecent in its report.

    The statement said: “They were under no illusion that they were participating in a fair process.

    “It was obvious that the ad-hoc committee was merely going through the motions of an inquiry just to give some gloss to predetermined conclusions.

    “It is sad to see such a shameful departure from any notion of decency and fairness by a state legislature. We dismiss with contempt the claims being peddled in connection with the report.

    “Malam El-Rufai wishes to assure discerning Nigerians that he has served Kaduna State with integrity and to the best of his capacity, assisted by a hardworking and patriotic team. “He complied with all extant laws in all his activities while he was the governor.

    “This jaundiced probe should be disregarded as the politically motivated hatchet job it is.”

  • JUST IN: El-Rufai slams Kaduna Assembly’s embezzlement allegations

    JUST IN: El-Rufai slams Kaduna Assembly’s embezzlement allegations

    Former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai has dismissed Kaduna Assembly’s adoption of a report of its ad-hoc committee tasked to investigate his administration from May 2015 to May 2023.

    The former Governor claimed he led an honest and competent eight-year government in a statement on Wednesday by his spokesperson, Muyiwa Adekeye.

    The Nation reported on Wednesday that Kaduna Assembly on Wednesday received a report from the ad hoc committee tasked with investigating the finances, loans, and contracts awarded during former Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s tenure.

    The report indicted the former Governor and several Commissioners who served under him.

    The House alleged that N423 billion of the state resources was siphoned under the El-Rufai’s government and asked the incumbent Governor Uba Sani to refer the former Governor and former Commissioners of finance to relevant security agencies for investigation.

    Presenting the report during plenary on Wednesday, the chairman of the ad hoc committee and Deputy Speaker Henry Magaji Danjuma, said that most of the loans obtained under the El-Rufai’s administration were not used for the purpose for which they were obtained, while in some cases,  due process was not followed in securing the loans.

    The committee recommended the investigation and prosecution of El-Rufai, and some other indicted members of his cabinet by security and anti-corruption agencies for abuse of office through the award of contracts without due process, diversion of public funds and money laundering.

    The statement reads: “We are aware of news that the Kaduna State House of Assembly has adopted the report of the ad-hoc committee it asked to probe the El-Rufai government.

    “We have not been provided with a copy of the report, to which we would respond robustly whenever we obtain it. We affirm the integrity of the El-Rufai government and dismiss the scandalous claims being aired as the report of the committee.

    Read Also: UPDATED: Kaduna Assembly indicts El-Rufai, ex-commissioners for alleged siphoning of N423bn

    “Malam Nasir El-Rufai is immensely proud of his record of governance and the legacy he left in Kaduna State. This record of consistently high performance in public and private office cannot be altered by any malicious effort to use the auspices of a state legislature for defamation and undeserved smears.

    “Many of the officials who served in the El-Rufai government appeared before the ad-hoc committee because of their confidence in the quality of their service and the rectitude in which they served Kaduna State.”

    “It is sad to see such a shameful departure from any notion of decency and fairness by a state legislature. We dismiss with contempt the claims being peddled in connection with the report.

    “Malam El-Rufai wishes to assure discerning Nigerians that he has served Kaduna State with integrity and to the best of his capacity, assisted by a hardworking and patriotic team.

    “He complied with all extant laws in all his activities while he was the governor. This jaundiced probe should be disregarded as the politically motivated hatchet job it is.” 

  • BREAKING: Kaduna Assembly orders investigation of El-Rufai’s administration over alleged embezzlement

    BREAKING: Kaduna Assembly orders investigation of El-Rufai’s administration over alleged embezzlement

    The Kaduna House of Assembly has received a report from the ad hoc committee it established to look into all contracts, loans, and finances during the tenure of previous governor Nasir El-Rufai.

    During the plenary, the ad hoc committee chairman, Henry Zacharia, presented the report to the house on Wednesday, June 5.

    He stated that most of the loans obtained during El-Rufai’s administration were not used for the intended purpose and that in certain instances, the proper procedures were not followed in obtaining the loans.

    Upon receiving the report, Yusuf Liman, the Speaker of the Kaduna House of Assembly, stated that the El-Rufai government embezzled N423 billion, leaving the state burdened with enormous obligations.

    Read Also: Atiku, El-Rufai, Kwankwaso won’t agree to contest with Peter Obi in 2027 – Omokri

    Therefore, the committee recommended that security and anti-corruption agencies look into and prosecute El-Rufai and a few other indicted members of his cabinet for abusing their positions of authority by awarding contracts without following the proper procedures, diverting public funds, money laundering, and heavily indebting Kaduna State.

    The committee also suggested that the state universal basic education board chairman and Kaduna State Commissioner of Finance, Shizer Badda, who held the same position under El-Rufai, be suspended immediately.

    Details shortly…

  • El-Rufai probe: Kaduna Assembly seeks vital documents from Finance Ministry, MDAs

    El-Rufai probe: Kaduna Assembly seeks vital documents from Finance Ministry, MDAs

    The Kaduna State House of Assembly ad hoc committee probing former Governor Nasir El-Rufai over the debt burden on the state has requested the Ministry of Finance to tender documents on the state’s financial transactions between May 29, 2015 and 2023 for investigation.

    An official memorandum endorsed by the Clerk of the Assembly, Mrs. Sakinatu Hassan Idris, and dated April 22, was addressed to the Commissioner of Finance for necessary action.

    The letter said the Assembly, at its 150th sitting on Tuesday, resolved and constituted an ad hoc committee to investigate financial transactions, contractual liabilities and other related matters under El-Rufai’s administration.

    It reads: “Accordingly, I am directed to request you to forward to the Ad-Hoc Committee Memorandum to be accompanied with the under listed documents and all other documents you consider vital to the assignment of the Committee.”

    The Assembly’s request covers the total loans from May 29, 2015 to May 29, 2023, the approvals of the House of Assembly, the accounts into which the loans were lodged, and drawdowns, as recorded by Project Finance Management Unit (PFMU) and the Debt Management Office (DMO).

    Read Also: El-Rufai probe: Kaduna Assembly writes Finance Ministry, MDAs

    Also demanded are the relevant State Executive Council (Exco) minutes of meetings, the council’s extracts and resolutions with regards to the loans, payments and outstanding liabilities to contractors from May 2015 to May 2023.

    The Assembly also requested for the reports of salaries paid to the state workers from 2016 to 2022, reports on KADIRS from 2015 to 2023, terms, purpose and conditions on those loans drawn by the El-Rufai administration.

    Similarly, it requested for “appropriation items related to the loans, all records of payments made to all contractors engaged by the state government and relevant documents from May 2015 to May 2023, including bank statements, modalities for payments of contracts, documents of all payments made to the contractors, sales of government houses/properties and accounts the proceeds were lodged and how the money was expended”.

    The Nation gathered that other Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) got similar requests from the House of Assembly.

  • El-Rufai probe: Kaduna Assembly writes Finance Ministry, MDAs

    El-Rufai probe: Kaduna Assembly writes Finance Ministry, MDAs

    …demands vital documents from 2015-2023

    The ad-hoc committee of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, tasked with investigating the former governor, Nasir El-Rufai, regarding the state’s debt burden, has commenced its inquiry.

    The Assembly has formally requested the Ministry of Finance to provide documents on financial transactions spanning from May 29, 2015, to 2023 for scrutiny.

    An official memo signed by the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Sakinatu Hassan Idris with reference number LEG/S.382/VOL.11/615 dated 22nd April, 2024 was addressed to the Commissioner of Finance.

    The letter informed the Ministry that, the Kaduna State House of Assembly at its 150th Sitting on Tuesday, resolved and constituted an Ad-Hoc Committee to investigate financial transactions, contractual liabilities, and other related matters under el-Rufai’s administration.

    Read Also: Kaduna assembly and El-rufai probe

    According to the letter obtained by our correspondent, the Assembly said the request was following Order XVI Rule 9 of the Standing Orders ‘and Rules of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, 2019 and Section 103) 9 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 ( as Amended).

    It read in part that, “accordingly l am directed to request you to forward to the Ad-Hoc Committee Memorandum to be accompanied with the under listed documents and all other documents you consider vital to the assignment of the committee.”

    The request made by the House covered the total Loans from May 29th, 2015 to May 29th, 2023, the approvals of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, the Accounts into which the Loans were lodged, and drawdowns as recorded by the Project Finance Management Unit (PFMU) & Debt Management Office (DMO).

    Also demanded are the relevant State Executive Council Minutes of meetings, Council’s Extracts, and Resolutions With regards to the Loans, Payments, and Outstanding Labilities to Contractors from May 2015 to May 2023.

    Also requested are the reports of Salaries paid to Staff in the State from 2016 — 2022, reports on KADIRS from 2015 to 2023, and terms, Purpose, and Conditions on those loans drawn by the El-Rufai administration.

    Similarly requested by the House are “appropriation items related to the Loans, All Records of payments made to all Contractors engaged by the State Government and relevant documents from May 2015 to May 2023 including Bank Statements, Modalities for payments of contracts, documents of all payments made to the contractors, sales of Government Houses/Properties and Accounts the proceeds were lodged and how the money was expended.”

    Our correspondent also gathered that similar requests were also made to other Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs).