The ad-hoc committee set up by the Kaduna State House of Assembly to investigate all finances, loans, and contracts awarded under former governor Nasir El-Rufai, on Wednesday, June 5, submitted its report to the House.
Presenting the report during the plenary session, the Chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Henry Zacharia, stated that most loans obtained during El-Rufai’s administration from 2015 to 2023 were not used for their intended purposes.
The Chairman, who also serves as the Deputy Speaker of the House, pointed out that in some instances, due process was not followed in securing loans during the former governor’s administration.
Upon receiving the report, the Speaker of the Kaduna House of Assembly, Yusuf Liman, stated that a total of N423 billion was siphoned during El-Rufai’s administration, leaving the state with substantial liabilities.
The committee consequently recommended the investigation and prosecution of El-Rufai and several other indicted members of his cabinet by security and anti-corruption agencies. They were accused of abuse of office through the award of contracts without due process, diversion of public funds, money laundering, and plunging Kaduna State into heavy debt.
Additionally, the committee recommended the immediate suspension of the Kaduna State Commissioner of Finance, Shizer Badda, who also served in the same capacity under El-Rufai’s administration, as well as the chairman of the state universal basic education board.
It also recommended a thorough investigation of key appointees from the previous administration by appropriate law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies.
The committee, established by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, was tasked with examining loans, grants, and project implementations from 2015 to 2023, during El-Rufai’s tenure as governor of the state.
This was in connection with the state Assembly’s probe into all finances, loans, and contract projects awarded under the El-Rufai administration.
The state Assembly initiated the probe following the current Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani’s lamentation that El-Rufai left him with a substantial debt profile.
Speaking at a town hall meeting in Kaduna, Sani revealed that he inherited a lean treasury and mentioned that he was unable to pay workers’ salaries.
He said, “Despite the huge debt burden of N587 million, N85 billion, and N115 billion contractual liabilities sadly inherited from the previous administration, we remain resolute in steering Kaduna State towards progress and sustainable development.
“We have conducted a thorough assessment of our situation and are sharpening our focus accordingly.”
Sani’s revelation sparked reactions from various quarters, including El-Rufai’s son, Bashir, who took to social media to accuse his father’s successor of shirking his responsibilities.
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