by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), ‘Kaduna Citizens Watch for Good Governance (KCWGG),’ on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, said it has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to investigate former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, and his cabinet over alleged financial misappropriation of over N400bn during his administration, from 2015 to 2023.
This was disclosed during a press conference in Kaduna Wednesday, by chairman of the group, Comrade Victor Duniya.
Recalled that, Senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central on the 8th Senate, had consistently called on Kaduna citizens to rise up and support State House of Assembly probe to recover their alleged looted public funds from the ex- Governor.
The KCWGG Chairman said, “Yesterday, the 2nd of July 2024, we officially lodged petitions at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the zonal office of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) Kaduna, against the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mal. Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, and many members of his administration.
“Our action was a result of the probe carried out by the Kaduna State House of Assembly Ad-hoc report on sourcing and usage of domestic loans, from 29th May 2015 to 29th May 2023, which indicted the former governor and some of his key members.
“The ad-hoc committee report had indicted the former governor and some of his top government officials for the misappropriation of over N432bn.
“Though, the former governor has rushed to the Federal High Court seeking his fundamental rights, the civil society group (KCWGG) insisted that the anti-graft bodies should arrest the former governor and his appointees, who were indicted in the probe.”
Duniya maintained further, “Our petitions requested immediate investigations, arrests, and prosecutions of Mal. El-Rufai and his appointees involved in the mismanagement, siphoning, and many illegal financial and administrative activities contained in the report.
“Holding the former governor and those that looted the treasury and shortchanged the people’s interests accountable will deter other elected and appointed public officials from mindless looting of the public treasury with impunity.”
The petitioners told the two anti-graft agencies, “We have absolute confidence in the capacity and determination of the anti-graft agencies in combating corruption in Nigeria. The content of our petition has been made available to you. You can read and see the full extent of our appeal.”
Part of the content of the petitions stated: “In its 159th sitting (Tuesday, 16th April 2024), the Kaduna State House of Assembly (KDSHA) constituted an Ad-hoc Committee to investigate Loans, Financial Transactions, Contractual Liabilities, and other Related Matters of the Government of Kaduna State, from 29th May 2015 to 29th May 2023.
“The committee was mandated to submit its Report to the entire House for further Legislative Consideration. The committee comprised 13 distinguished Honourable Members, 8 supporting secretariat members, and 4 supporting staffers (page 1 of the report).
“The committee was given the following terms of reference: To find out the Modalities of Acquiring/Obtaining the Internal and External Loans; To carry out an evaluation of all Projects to determine their status; To conduct an in-depth Analysis of Appropriated Funds/ Implementation.
“Other terms of reference include: To have a thorough examination of Legislative Approvals of securing Internal and External Loans; To ascertain Liabilities/Outstanding incurred and other financial activities in the State.
“Also, the committee was mandated to invite the following for Fact Findings: Rt. Hon. Speaker of the 8th Assembly, Rt. Hon. Speaker of the 9th Assembly, Managing Directors of KADRA from 2015 till date, Hon. Commissioners of the Ministry of Finance from 2019 till date, Hon. Commissioners of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure from 2015 till date (Page 5 of 175), and Managing Directors of Market Development from 2015 till date.
“Others included the Accountant-Generals of Kaduna State from 2015 till date, the Senior Adviser-Counsellor to the Executive Governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023, and any other Head of MDA or persons considered necessary by the Committee (pages 4 and 5 of the report).”