In a shocking turn of events, the political landscape in Kaduna State has been rocked by explosive allegations against former governor Nasir El-Rufai and his administration. The state’s House of Assembly has delivered a damning report accusing El-Rufai and his appointees of misappropriating a staggering N423 billion ($1.05 billion) in public funds during his tenure from 2015 to 2023.
The Assembly’s ad hoc committee, tasked with investigating finances, loans, and contracts under El-Rufai’s leadership, painted a grim picture. Their report alleges unauthorized cash withdrawals in naira and dollars, shady loan deals, rigged contract awards, and collusion with commissioners and agency heads to defraud the state.
Specific allegations include:
- Unjustified cash withdrawals of N4.9 billion by the Finance Commissioner and Accountant General from 2019 to 2022.
- Unjustified withdrawals of $1.4 million from the Kaduna State Economic Transformation Account between October 2020 and May 2020.
- Payments of N632.5 million to Tulip Future Associates Ltd without official engagement as consultants.
- Payment of N80 million as imprest to EDI-JEN Co. Ltd, a non-government entity.
- Excess gains of N757.4 million paid to Sarkin Ayuka Global Resources Ltd.
- A fraudulent payment of N1.4 billion to Misha Travels Agency.
- Payment of N333 million to Almass Multi Links Ventures.
The committee recommended that contractors refund N36.3 billion for unexecuted or overpaid work and that certain loans obtained without due process should be repudiated.
In a fierce rebuttal, El-Rufai’s media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, dismissed the report as false, scandalous, and a predetermined smear campaign. Adekeye affirmed El-Rufai’s integrity, stating he served Kaduna State to the best of his capacity, assisted by a hardworking and patriotic team.
This clash has exposed deep rifts within Kaduna’s political landscape, with both sides staking their reputations. El-Rufai, a prominent figure, has vowed to robustly defend his record, while the Assembly stands firm, calling for further investigations and potential prosecution.
As this high-stakes battle rages, the people of Kaduna find themselves caught in the crossfire, grappling with the implications of these grave allegations. The report’s recommendations, including referring El-Rufai and his team to security agencies, have raised the stakes even higher.
This saga has reignited debates about the need for robust systems of checks and balances to safeguard public funds and resources, shining a spotlight on the broader issue of accountability and transparency in governance.
As the drama unfolds, the fog of allegations surrounding El-Rufai’s tenure has grown thicker, and the path to resolution remains uncertain. Only time will tell whether the former governor will emerge unscathed or face the full force of the law, should the allegations prove true.