Group takes petitions to EFCC, ICPC over alleged N423b fraud against El-rufai

From Noah Ebije, Kaduna

A group, the auspices of Kaduna Citizens Watch for Good Governance (KCWGG), has taken petitions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against the immediate past governor, Nasir el-Rufai and his cohorts, over an alleged N423 billion fraud.

The state House of Assembly Ad-hoc report on sourcing and usage of domestic loans from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023, had  indicted Eel-Rufai and some members of his cabinet, following an investigation into the eight-year administration of the former governor.

Addressing a press conference, yesterday, Chairman of KCWGG, Victor Duniya, said the petitions requested immediate investigations, arrest, and prosecution of el-Rufai and his appointees, who were involved in the alleged mismanagement, siphoning, and some illegal financial and administrative activities while he governed the state for eight years.

However, reacting to questions by newsmen on el-Rufai’s recent lawsuit against the House of Assembly at the Federal High Court, Kaduna, claiming N1 billion damages over the probe committee’s report, Duniya said: “It is just a delay tactic because justice delayed is justice denied. But, we will continue to voice out our protest to ensure that justice is not only done, but seen to be done. It is unfortunate that El-rufai, who never obeyed court order as governor, is now running to the same court to seek protection.

“Yesterday, July 2, 2024, we officially lodged petitions at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the zonal office of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Kaduna, against the former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-rufai and many members of his administration that the Kaduna State House of Assembly Ad-hoc report on sourcing and usage of domestic loans from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2003, indicted.

“Our petitions requested for immediate investigations, arrest, and prosecution of El-rufai and his appointees, who were involved in mismanagement, siphoning, and many illegal financial and administrative activities contained in the report.

“Holding the former governor and those that spilled the treasury and shortchanged people’s interest accountable, will deter other elected and appointed public officials from mindless looting of public treasury with impunity.

“We have absolute confidence in the capacity and determination of the anti-graft agencies in combating corruption in Nigeria.”

The same group had on June 20, 2024, protested in large numbers to Kaduna Government House, asking Governor Uba Sani to invite the EFCC and other relevant security agencies to arrest and prosecute  El-rufai over the indictment.

On March 30, 2024, Gov Sani revealed during a town hall meeting that the state faced a substantial debt burden of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities inherited from the previous administration, which he said led to over 70 percent of the state’s allocation being used to service the inherited debt.

In response, the Kaduna State House of Assembly formed an ad-hoc committee to investigate the state’s financial transactions from May 29, 2015 to May 29, 2023. The committee, led by Henry Danjuma Magaji, submitted its findings on June 5, 2024, revealing significant unaccounted funds and irregularities in financial transactions. The report highlighted mismanagement of funds, diversion of loans, overpayment of contractors, and lack of transparency in the usage of state funds.