…Numbers of expected invitees not exhaustive.
by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
An Adhoc Committee has been set up by Kaduna State House of Assembly to investigate financial records of loans and contractual obligations of immediate past government under Malam Nasir El-Rufai.
The Committee, headed by Lukman Henry Danjuma as Chairman, says it may receive multiple testimonies from those invited to appear before it.
The Committee chairman said that some testimonies succeeded in indicting persons not originally lined-up for an invitation, who will be invited to appear before the committee, based on the indictment.
Recalled that the committee was inaugurated recently by the Kaduna State House of Assembly to investigate the financial dealings of the 8-year administration of Governor Nasir El-Rufai, following an outcry by the incumbent governor, Uba Sani, over the inability to pay salaries and complete contracts because of huge debts inherited.
Mr. Danjuma said the committee swung into action as soon as it was inaugurated, adding that some key persons have been invited and interviewed by the committee, and got testimonies from them, which may lead to other testimonies after further investigation.
Fielding questions from newsmen after its sitting, which lasted for hours into late night on Monday, the Committee chairman said all testimonies will be analysed before reaching final findings and reports.
“The Adhoc Committee was inaugurated by the Kaduna State House of Assembly to investigate financial dealings that have to do with loans and contractual obligations by the Kaduna State Government, from 29 May 2015, to May 29, 2023.
“Since the committee was inaugurated, we swung into action and we have reached a stage where, today, we have invited some key persons that we deem it necessary to have them interviewed so that we can get testimonies as to aid to get to an appropriate conclusion, so that we can give a justified report of our committee.
“Our remark is that the entire session was open. Anybody that came, took an oath to know that we are serious. That, whatever is told, must be honest. I think I’m happy that there have been honest and frank discussions between us and those that appeared before us.
“We have not reached findings yet. Just because of testimonies, you have to go and analyze whatever that has been said before us before we reach findings. Don’t worry. By the time we are done, we will invite the press to the final reports.
“The job of the committee is to investigate financial dealings that have to do with loans, contractual obligations and so on and so forth, to unravel whether there were any misdemeanours.
“The numbers of persons we are expecting to invite are not exhaustive. Depending on the evidence we heard from those before us, there might be people that may be invited on the bases of the testimonies that we are receiving from those that have been invited. So, I cannot say this is the particular number that we are envisaging,” Danjuma said.
Our correspondent gathered that, those invited so far included former Commissioner the Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure, Thomas Gyang; former Commissioner Ministry of Education, Ja’afaru Ibrahim Sani; former Agric Commissioner, Dr. Manzo Daniel Maigari; Commissioner/Administrator Zaria Metropolitan Authority, Balarabe Aliyu; former Managing Director of Kaduna State Roads Agency (KADRA), Engr. Mohammed Lawal Magaji; Administrator, Kafanchan Metropolitan Authority, Phoebe Yayi Sukai, among others.