El-Rufai’s Administration Siphoned N423bn – Kaduna Assembly

…Recommends prosecution by security agencies

The Kaduna State House of Assembly on Tuesday, June 5, 2024 declared that a total of N423 billion was siphoned by the administration of the immediate past governor of the State, Mr Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai thereby subjected the State into huge debts and an inability to pay the monthly salaries of workers.

This was revealed by Hon Henry Zacharia, Chairman of the Ad-hoc committee set up to investigate all finances, loans and contracts awarded under former Governor El-Rufai’s Administration, who revealed this while submitting his report, said that most of the loans obtained were not used for the purpose for which they were obtained.

The Committee’s report noted that a total of over N510 billion was awarded in contracts while only N128 billion was paid leaving a total of N382 billion in contractual liabilities between 2015 and 2023 of the El-Rufai’s administration.

Zacharia particularly said that in some cases, due process were not followed in securing the loans, stressing that following the abuses, the Committee therefore recommended the investigation and prosecution of El-Rufai, some other indicted members of his cabinet by security and anti-corruption agencies for gross abuse of office.

The committee chairman said that some of the noted abuse of office included the award of contracts without due process, diversion of public funds and money laundering as well as plaguing Kaduna State into heavy debt.

The committee also recommended the immediate suspension of the Commissioner for Finance for Kaduna State, Shizer Badda, who equally served in the same capacity in the El-Rufai’s administration, as well the chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board.

The Ad-hoc Committee also recommended thorough investigation of some key appointees of the last administration by appropriate law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies.

Receiving the report, the Speaker of the Kaduna House of Assembly, Hon Yusuf Liman, said that a total N423 billion was siphoned by the El-Rufai’s administration and left the state with huge liabilities.

The committee set up by the Kaduna State House of Assembly was tasked with the assignment of examining loans, grants and projects implementation from 2015 to 2023 which covered the period of the administration of El-Rufai as governor of the state.