A team of investigators has been assembled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to look into claims that former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and a few significant officials of his administration mismanaged N423 billion.
It has been discovered that the former governor will shortly be asked to testify.
The following people are also scheduled to be questioned: all of the accountants general throughout his eight years in office, the heads of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) from 2018 to 2023, and the finance commissioners who held office from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023.
The other managing directors are: Amina Ja’afar Ladan, an engineer who was in office for just one month; all the managing directors of Kaduna Roads Agency (KADRA) from October 11, 2017 to November 20, 21; and all leading directors of Kaduna Market Development and Management Company Ltd from May 29, 2015 to May 29, 2023.
Further information regarding the purported corruption under El-Rufai’s leadership has come to light.
The Kaduna House of Assembly’s Ad-Hoc Committee discovered that, between 2015 and 2023, the state government’s funds were embezzled for approximately N423,115,028,072.88.
Additionally, a total of $1.4 million in withdrawals from the Kaduna State Economic Transformation Account were observed. Eight individuals and businesses have been asked by the House panel to reimburse N19, 239,511,099.76.
Additionally, it has been suggested that N36, 351,126,811.65 be refunded to 15 contractors since they were paid for work that was either not completed, overpaid, or diverted.
The committee stated that although though el-Rufai’s administration awarded contracts worth N510,407,166,975.39 between 1999 and 2023, it only gave contractors N198,921,880,169.04.
Based mostly on the conclusions of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, a Special Task Force was tasked with investigating a petition filed by a non-governmental organisation, according to our correspondent’s investigations.
It was discovered that yesterday, the team moved swiftly to analyse and isolate the accusations made against the former governor.
Eight individuals and businesses have been requested by the committee to reimburse N19, 239,511,099.76.
Additionally, 15 contractors have been ordered to return N36, 351,126,811.65, which they claim to have been paid for work that was never completed, overpaid, or diverted. The report also made it clear that all domestic loans had been paid back by the previous government when el-Rufai assumed office on May 29, 2015.
The committee has asked eight people and companies to reimburse N19, 239,511,099.76. In addition, N36, 351,126,811.65, which 15 contractors assert they were paid for work never done, overcharged, or diverted, must be returned. The study also clarified that, as of May 29, 2015, when el-Rufai took office, the previous administration had paid back all domestic loans.
It also proved that, according to the state’s handover memorandum to el-Rufai, the total amount of foreign loans made between 1965 and December 31, 2014, was $234 million. However, Kaduna State’s debt from both foreign and domestic loans reached N98,912,000,000.00 and $758,141,699, respectively, during eight years of el-Rufai’s administration. The committee’s conclusions showed that the majority of the loans were not used for their intended purposes and were obtained outside of the law.
What they’re saying
“We have therefore begun looking into the issues brought up in the petition. “The Ad-Hoc Committee report from the Kaduna State House of Assembly is also beneficial. El-Rufai and a few of his team members may shortly be invited for questioning.
“Today, the Special Task Force convened for an extended meeting regarding the petition’s contents and the Ad-Hoc Committee’s report.”
“In fact, the House of Assembly report has provided a strong basis for our team’s inquiry,”
Summary
This is a complex case involving allegations of corruption against former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and his administration.
The EFCC is investigating these allegations, which include mismanaging funds, embezzlement, and awarding contracts that were not completed or overpriced.
The Kaduna State House of Assembly also investigated these allegations and found evidence to support some of them.
They have recommended that El-Rufai and other officials be questioned and that some funds be returned.
