The former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed the probe of his administration by the Kaduna State House of Assembly. He described the probe as a “politically motivated hatchet job”.
Recall that the Kaduna State House of Assembly had adopted a motion to set up an Ad-hoc Committee to probe El-Rufai’s administration from May 2015 to May 2023.
But in a statement on Wednesday through his spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai said he led a government of integrity and competence during his eight-year administration.
On Wednesday, the State Assembly’s Ad hoc Committee set up to investigate all finances, loans and contracts awarded under the El-Rufai administration submitted its report to the House.
According to the report, the Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee, Henry Zacharia, said most of the loans obtained under the El-Rufai’s administration were not used for the purpose for which they were obtained. While in some cases, due process was not followed in securing the loans.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Yusuf Liman, also said that a total N423 billion was allegedly siphoned by the El-Rufai’s administration. Thereby leaving the Kaduna State with huge liabilities.
The Committee, therefore, recommended an investigation and prosecution of the former Governor. It also recommended that some members of his cabinet should be investigated by security and anti-corruption agencies for alleged abuse of office, diversion of public funds and money laundering.
The Committee also recommended the immediate suspension of the Commissioner of Finance, Shizer Badda. It stated that the Commissioner served in the same capacity under the El-Rufai’s administration.
But responding to the report, El-Rufai’s spokesman, Adekeye, as a political vendetta. He affirmed the integrity of the El-Rufai government and dismissed as “scandalous”, the claims by the Committee.
According to him, “Malam Nasir El-Rufai is immensely proud of his record of governance and the legacy he left in Kaduna State. This record of consistently high performance in public and private office cannot be altered by any malicious effort to use the auspices of a State legislature for defamation and undeserved smears.
“Many of the officials who served in the El-Rufai government appeared before the Ad-hoc Committee because of their confidence in the quality of their service and the rectitude which they served Kaduna State. They were under no illusion that they were participating in a fair process. It was obvious that the Ad hoc Committee was merely going through the motions of an inquiry just to give some gloss to predetermined conclusions.
“It is sad to see such a shameful departure from any notion of decency and fairness by a State legislature. We dismiss with contempt the claims being peddled in connection with the report.
“Malam El-Rufai wishes to assure discerning Nigerians that he has served Kaduna State with integrity and to the best of his capacity, assisted by a hardworking and patriotic team. He complied with all extant laws in all his activities while he was the governor. This jaundiced probe should be disregarded as the politically motivated hatchet job it is.”
source: Channels TV
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