- It Is A ‘Politically Motivated Jaundiced Probe’- El-Rufai
- Some Loans Obtained By El-Rufai Didn’t Follow Due Process-Assembly
A row is brewing between the Kaduna State House Of Assembly and former Governor of the state, Malam Nasir El-Rufai.
Early on Wednesday, the ad hoc committee set up by the State House of Assembly to investigate all finances, loans and contracts awarded under his administration while submitting its report to the House at plenary on Wednesday recommended the investigation and prosecution of El-Rufai, some other indicted members of his cabinet by security and anti-corruption agencies for abuse of office through the award of contracts without due process, diversion of public funds and money laundering as well as plunging the state into heavy debt.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Yusuf Liman, also said that a total N423 billion was allegedly siphoned by the El-Rufai’s administration leaving the state with huge liabilities.
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The committee, therefore, recommended the investigation and prosecution of El-Rufai, and some members of his cabinet by security and anti-corruption agencies for alleged abuse of office, diversion of public funds and money laundering.
Reacting to the allegations, El-Rufai dismissed the probe and its recommendation as a “politically motivated hatchet job”.
In a statement on Wednesday through his spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye, the former governor said he led a government of integrity and competence during his eight-year administration.
Responding, El-Rufai’s spokesman (Adekeye) affirmed the integrity of the El-Rufai government and dismissed as “scandalous”, the claims by the committee.
He said, “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.
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“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 in 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.”
