The Kaduna State House of Assembly has suggested that the state’s immediate former governor, Nasir el-Rufai, be prosecuted for suspected abuse of authority and money laundering during his administration.
This followed the inquiry by the House’s ad hoc committee, directed by Henry Zacharia.
According to the report provided by Zacharia on Wednesday, the majority of loans received during El-Rufai government were not used for their original purpose, and in some cases, proper process was not followed in getting them.
As a result, the committee recommended that security and anti-corruption agencies investigate and prosecute the ex-governor and some other implicated members of his cabinet for abuse of power, including awarding contracts without due procedure, diversion of public funds, and money laundering.
The state House of Assembly’s investigation began weeks after Kaduna State’s incumbent governor, Uba Sani, complained that El-Rufai had left him with a large debt.
Sani, speaking during a town hall meeting in Kaduna, said he inherited a lean treasury and was unable to pay workers’ salaries.
Sani said, “Despite the huge debt burden of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 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.”
Yusuf Mugu, a member of the Kaura constituency, moved a motion of public significance to investigate the debts received by the immediate past governor.
Mugu claimed that the citizens of the state needed to be aware of the loan terms El-Rufai collected during his tenure as governor of the state.
