The Kaduna State House of Assembly has sent a request to the state’s Ministry of Finance for specific information about financial dealings during former governor Nasir El-rufai’s time in office, from 2015 to 2023.
The assembly is looking into all the money matters, loans, and project contracts that were approved while El-Rufai was in charge.
The state Assembly's investigation comes a few weeks after the current Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, expressed concern about the large amount of debt he inherited from El-Rufai.
Sani, speaking at a meeting in Kaduna, mentioned that he inherited a depleted treasury and was unable to pay the salaries of workers.
He disclosed, “Despite the huge debt burden of N587m, N85bn, and N115bn contractual liabilities sadly inherited from the previous administration, we remain resolute in steering Kaduna State towards progress and sustainable development.
We have carefully evaluated our situation and are adjusting our focus accordingly.”
Sani's revelation resulted in various reactions, including a response from El-Rufai’s son, Bashir, who criticized his father’s successor for avoiding responsibility.
Bashir accused the governor of frequently being absent from the state, spending a lot of time in Abuja instead of carrying out his duties in Kaduna as he was elected to do.
The controversy also led to the suspension of the Kano APC Women Leader, Maryam Suleiman, who also supported El-Rufai and confronted Governor Sani.
Last Tuesday, during a meeting, the Kano State House of Assembly decided to investigate El-Rufai’s administration and created a fact-finding committee.
Meanwhile, a letter with reference number LEG/S. 382/VOL. II/615, from the office of the Clerk of the Assembly to the Finance Commissioner, requested the submission of a memorandum and documents related to financial transactions between the years 2015 and May 2023.
In the letter signed by the Clerk of the Assembly, Sakinatu Idris, and obtained by PUNCH Online on Wednesday, the House directed the ministry to forward all the transaction details to the fact-finding committee set to probe all finances, loans and contract projects awarded under El-Rufai’s administration.
It stated, “I am directed to request that you forward to the Ad-Hoc Committee Memorandum the under-listed documents and all other documents you consider relevant to the assignment of the Committee: –”total Loans from May 2015 to May 2023 with the approvals of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, the Accounts into which the loans were lodged and drawn as recorded by Project Finance Management Unit (PFMU) & Debt Management Office (DMO).
“Relevant State Executive Council Minutes of meetings, Council’s Extracts and Resolutions with regards to the LOANS. (c) Payments and Outstanding Liabilities to Contractors from May, 2015-May, 2023.
“Reports of Salaries paid to Staff from 2016-2022. (e) Dloyd Reports on KADRIS from 2015 to 2023. (ii) Terms, Purpose and Conditions on those LOANS. (iii) Appropriation items related to the LOANS. (iv) All Records of payments made to all Contractors engaged by the State Government and relevant documents from May 2015 to May 2023 including Bank Statements.
“(v)Arrangements for payments of contracts. (vi) Records of all payments made to the contractors. (vii) Sales of Government Houses/Properties and Records of where the proceeds were kept and how the money was used.
“Thirty (30) copies of the Memo/documents should be submitted to the office of the Clerk to the Legislature on or before Thursday, 25th April 2024 by 10:00 am, please. 4. Accept the highest regards of my office, please.”
