A committee set up by the Kaduna State House of Assembly to investigate the finances, loans, and contracts awarded under former governor Nasir El-Rufai has indicted him.
The committee submitted its report to the House on Wednesday. It accused the former administration of contract fraud.
Henry Zacharia, the chairman of the ad hoc committee, reported that many loans obtained during El-Rufai’s administration were not used for their intended purposes, and due process was often ignored in obtaining these loans.
Speaker Yusuf Liman said that N423 billion of state funds went missing under El-Rufai’s administration, leaving the state with substantial liabilities.
The committee recommended the investigation and prosecution of Mr. El-Rufai and other top officials from his administration.
They are accused of abuse of office, awarding contracts without due process, diverting public funds, and money laundering, which resulted in significant debt for Kaduna State.
Additionally, the committee recommended the immediate suspension of Kaduna State Commissioner of Finance, Shizer Badda, who also served in the same role under El-Rufai’s administration, as well as the chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board.
They called for thorough investigations of key appointees from the previous administration by appropriate law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies.
Mr El-Rufai dismissed the report as a “politically motivated hatchet job.”
“It is sad to see such a shameful departure from any notion of decency and fairness by a state legislature,” his spokesperson, Muyiwa Adekeye, said in a statement. “We dismiss with contempt the claims being peddled in connection with the report.”
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The committee’s recommendations were later approved by the full House. Reports issued by state of federal assembly are typically symbolic, and do not always get executed by the executive.
Still, this is a stunning discredit for the former governor who just last year remained one of Nigeria’s most influential political figures.
Mr. El-Rufai served as governor from 2015 to 2023 and previously served as FCT minister and director-general of the Bureau for Public Enterprises.
He supported the elections of his successor, Gov Uba Sani, and President Bola Tinubu in 2023, but has since had a falling out with both former allies.
*This report was updated on Thursday (06/06/2024) with Mr El-Rufai’s reaction.
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