The Kaduna State House of Assembly on Wednesday emphasized that the administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai must answer to allegations of misappropriating N432 billion from the state government. El-Rufai is accused of diverting public funds amounting to N423 billion and engaging in money laundering, although he has denied these allegations.
According to a statement, the Kaduna Assembly, through its Adhoc Committee Chairman, Henry Magaji, asserted that the committee conducted a thorough investigation that revealed significant financial misconduct allegedly committed by the former administration. Magaji stated that instead of addressing the issues highlighted in the probe report, the former political appointees resorted to name-calling and making unfounded allegations.
Magaji stated that the Kaduna State House of Assembly, in line with its constitutional mandate and in response to public demand, conducted a comprehensive investigation into the enormous debts incurred by the immediate past administration without corresponding projects to justify such expenditures.
“The attention of the Kaduna State House of Assembly has been drawn to a press conference addressed by some senior political appointees of the immediate past administration of Malam Nasir El-Rufai. In the press conference, the former political appointees made strenuous efforts to pick holes in the report of the Probe Committee. They resorted to name-calling and wild allegations on the motivations for the House Probe. We wish to state as follows: The press conference was just a rehash of the vituperations and innuendoes heaped on us by the former political appointees in their first press briefing.”
The statement continued, “There was nothing new that should warrant our response. They failed to address the main issue, which is the systematic and coordinated cornering of the resources of Kaduna State through phony contracts and outright looting.”
Magaji reiterated that the Assembly’s investigation was thorough and detailed, uncovering various dubious contracts and fraudulent activities that drained the state’s resources. The committee’s findings indicate a well-coordinated scheme involving multiple individuals within the former administration, aimed at siphoning off state funds.
The Assembly’s report highlights numerous instances of financial misconduct, including inflated contracts, payments for non-existent projects, and money laundering activities. The report also indicates that several companies awarded contracts were either non-existent or did not have the capacity to execute the projects for which they were paid. This led to significant financial losses for the state, with little to no corresponding development projects to show for the massive debts incurred.
Magaji stressed that the Assembly is committed to ensuring accountability and transparency in the management of the state’s resources. He emphasized that the probe was not politically motivated but was driven by the need to address the concerns of the people of Kaduna State and to ensure that those responsible for the mismanagement of public funds are held accountable.
The Assembly’s probe has drawn mixed reactions from the public, with some applauding the efforts to ensure accountability, while others view it as a political witch-hunt. However, Magaji assured that the investigation was conducted with utmost integrity and in accordance with the law.
In conclusion, the Kaduna State House of Assembly has reiterated its stance on the misappropriation of funds by the former administration. The Assembly has called on the relevant authorities to take necessary actions based on the findings of the probe report. The statement concluded by assuring the public that the Assembly will continue to work towards ensuring good governance and the proper management of the state’s resources for the benefit of all residents of Kaduna State.
As the investigation progresses, it remains to be seen what actions will be taken against those implicated in the report. The Assembly has expressed its commitment to pursuing justice and ensuring that the state’s resources are used for the development and welfare of its people. The former Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and his associates will have to respond to these allegations and provide answers to the questions raised by the Assembly’s probe.
