Kaduna assembly recommends probe of el-Rufai for ‘N423bn graft, money laundering’

An ad hoc committee set up by the Kaduna house of assembly has recommended the probe of Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of the state.

El-Rufai is accused of alleged diversion of public funds to the tune of N423 billion, and money laundering.

Henry Zacharia, chairman of the committee, who presented the report during plenary on Wednesday, said most of the loans obtained by the el-Rufai administration were used for other purposes.

El-Rufai was governor of Kaduna from 2015 to 2023.

In April, the Kaduna assembly inaugurated a 13-member committee to examine the loans, grants, and project implementation in the state during the period el-Rufai was governor.

Zacharia said most of the loans obtained and projects implemented did not follow “due process”.

The lawmakers also called for the prosecution of some of the commissioners and officials who worked under el-Rufai.

‘LAW ENFORCEMENT SHOULD TAKE OVER’

Speaking after the submission of the report, Yusuf Liman, speaker of the Kaduna assembly, said the alleged diversion of public funds and money laundering under el-Rufai should be referred to law enforcement agencies.

“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 Nigeria as amended and failed to exercise due diligence in the administration of the state,” Liman said.

“Plunging the state into unwanted, unjustified and fraudulent domestic and foreign debt over and above the total loans obtained by Kaduna State from 1965 to 1999, from 1965 to December 31st 2014, and majority were obtained without due process.

“Reckless award of contracts without due process leading to several abandoned projects, despite payments with no record of utilisation, and denying the state of the needed resources for development.

“Diversion of funds and money laundering contrary to extant laws and regulations, and accordingly should be referred to the law enforcement agencies for immediate investigation and prosecution.”

On March 30, Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna, said his administration inherited a debt of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities from el-Rufai’s administration.

The Kaduna governor said the huge debt burden is eating deep into the state’s share of the monthly federation allocation.