By Mo. Hanif
An ad hoc committee established by the Kaduna State House of Assembly to investigate the financial activities, loans, and contracts awarded during former Governor Nasir El-Rufai's tenure has presented its findings to the Assembly.
During a plenary session on Wednesday, Henry Zacharia, the chairman of the committee, disclosed that numerous loans obtained under El-Rufai’s administration were misused, with instances of due process violations in securing these loans.
In response to the report, Speaker Yusuf Liman stated that the El-Rufai administration siphoned off N423 billion, leaving the state with substantial liabilities. The committee has urged security and anti-corruption agencies to investigate and prosecute El-Rufai and several members of his cabinet for abuses including the awarding of contracts without due process, diversion of public funds, and money laundering.
The committee further recommended the immediate suspension of the current Kaduna State Commissioner of Finance, Shizer Badda, who also held the position under El-Rufai, along with the chairman of the state universal basic education board. It also called for a thorough investigation of key appointees from the previous administration by relevant law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies.
The committee was tasked with reviewing the management of loans, grants, and project implementations from 2015 to 2023, the period during which El-Rufai served as governor.
Tags
News