By Mohammed Bello Doka
The Kaduna State House of Assembly has enlisted renowned human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), to lead the prosecution against former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, following allegations of monumental corruption during his administration. Falana, known for his vigorous pursuit of justice, will spearhead a team of lawyers to commence the legal proceedings on Thursday in Kaduna.
Earlier this month, the Kaduna State House of Assembly reaffirmed its stance on the financial misconduct allegations against El-Rufai, accusing his administration of diverting a staggering N423,115,028,072.88. The Assembly's findings have sparked controversy, especially after political appointees from El-Rufai’s tenure attempted to discredit the House’s investigation during a press conference in Abuja.
Henry Magaji, the Chairman of the Fact-Finding Committee and Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, strongly condemned these attempts to undermine the probe. He stated, “The press conference was merely a rehash of baseless accusations against us. The former appointees failed to address the central issue—the systematic looting and fraudulent contracts that drained the state's resources.”
In June, the Assembly demanded the immediate refund of N36 billion, which El-Rufai’s government allegedly paid for non-existent contractual work. The House Committee’s recommendations highlighted several contractors, including Ronchess Global Resources PLC and Chamberlayne Global Concept Ltd, who were accused of receiving payments without delivering services. The total amount involved in these questionable transactions was pegged at N36,351,126,811.65.
The committee also flagged unjustified cash withdrawals totaling N4,936,916,333.00, made by the Commissioner of Finance and the Accountant General between 2019 and 2022. Additionally, the sum of $1.4 million was withdrawn from the Kaduna State Economic Transformation Account under dubious circumstances, necessitating further investigation by law enforcement agencies.
Magaji emphasized the need for integrity and accountability, urging those involved to prioritize the state’s development over personal gain. As the legal battle unfolds, the Assembly remains resolute in its commitment to uncovering the truth and ensuring justice is served.
Tags
News