Corruption is like a stain that is sometimes very difficult to wash off.
Now, that stain of corruption has touched the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai.
As we speak, the state’s House of Assembly has indicted Rufai and key members of his administration for alleged corruption.
Basically, these allegations are linked to contract awards and the management of loans during his eight-year tenure.
This conclusion followed a thorough investigation.
Corruption Report
Indeed, that investigation was carried out by an ad-hoc committee.
The committee was set up to probe El-Rufai’s governance from May 2015 to May 2023.
After the investigation, a report was delivered to the Assembly by the committee’s chairman, Henry Danjuma.
That report captured multiple instances of alleged corruption within the state’s government.
It did not end there, ministries, departments, and agencies were also involved.
The committee specifically scrutinized the handling of both domestic and foreign loans.
Lo and behold, they found significant discrepancies and mismanagement.
Key Recommendations
Meanwhile, the committee made some key recommendations.
Top on the list is the withdrawal of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) account currently held at Zenith Bank.
This account had been used as security for a ₦20 billion loan guarantee in 2023.
The committee has asked Zenith Bank to refund all deductions made from this account.
This includes, accrued interest, citing the guarantee as illegal.
Furthermore, the committee recommended that all the commissioners of finance of the state from May 2015 to May 2023 be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.
This is for a thorough investigation.
More Recommendations
Also, all the accountant generals of the state from May 2015 to May 2023 be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for investigation.
The lawmakers also recommended suspending the commissioner of finance, Shizzer Bada.
This is to allow for a proper investigation into the ministry’s activities from May 2015, to May 2023.
The House also recommended that El-Rufai breached his oath of office contained in the 7th Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended and failed to exercise due discretion in the administration of the state.
It recommended that El-Rufai be referred to anti-corruption agencies.
This is for a thorough investigation and necessary prosecution for plunging the state into unwanted, unjustified, and fraudulent domestic and foreign debts, diversion of funds, and money laundering contrary to all extant laws and regulations.
Other recommendations are:
“That, the Chairmen of Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) from 2018 to 2023 be referred to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agencies for a thorough investigation.”
“That, the current Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) do step aside.
This is to allow for a thorough and proper investigation into the activities of the Board from May 29, 2015 to May 29, 2023.”
“That, the current Executive Secretary of the State Pension Bureau do step aside.
Also, this will allow for proper investigation into the activities of the Bureau from May, 2015 to May, 2023.”
“That, all the Managing Directors of the Kaduna Market Devel