EFCC BEGINS PROBE OF ALLEGED N423BILLION FRAUD BY EL-RUFAI.(PHOTO).

 EFCC Begins Probe Of Alleged N423billion Fraud By El-Rufai

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has constituted a team of operatives to probe alleged mismanagement of N423 billion by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and some key members of his government.

The former governor would soon be invited by the agency for questioning, sources told The Nation. 

SaharaReporters had earlier reported how the Kaduna State House of Assembly recommended the probe of Nasir El-Rufai for abuse of office and money laundering. 

The recommendation was given by the ad hoc committee set up by the House of Assembly mandating the investigation of all finances, loans and contracts awarded under Nasir El-Rufai’s government. 

The chairman of the ad hoc committee, Henry Zacharia, had presented the report during plenary last Wednesday, stating that the majority of the loans obtained during El-Rufai's administration were not used for the purpose for which they were obtained, and that in some cases, due process was not followed in obtaining the loans.

Receiving the report, Yusuf Liman, Speaker of the Kaduna House of Assembly, stated that the El-Rufai administration syphoned a total of N423 billion, leaving the state with massive liabilities.

The lawmakers also recommended the probe of all the Commissioners of Finance and Accountants General who served under Nasir El-Rufai. 

The decision was reached by the ad hoc committee set up by the House of Assembly to investigate cases of corruption and abuse of office during the reign of El-Rufai in the state. 

The committee was chaired by Henry Zacharia.

Some of the recommendations presented by the committee chairman during the plenary session on Wednesday read: “That, all the Commissioners of Finance of the State from 29th May, 2015 to 29th May, 2023 be referred to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agencies for thorough investigation.

“That, all the Accountant Generals of the State from 29th May, 2015 to 29th May, 2023 be referred to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agencies for investigation.

“That, the Chairmen of Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) from 2018 to 2023 be referred to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agencies for thorough investigation.”

The committee also suggested that “all the Managing Directors of the Kaduna Market Development and Management Company Ltd from 29 May, 2015 to 29th May, 2023 be referred to the relevant law enforcement agencies for a thorough investigation into their handling of the affairs of the Company.

“That, the coordinator of the Kaduna State Government's Irrigation Programmes for the cultivation of Wheat at Ruwan Sanyi, Kubau Local Government Area in 2016 or thereabout, be referred to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agencies for a thorough investigation.

“That, Ms. Dolapo Popoola, the immediate past Managing Director of AlL KAPSCO whose whereabouts are not known, be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for investigation into her handling of the affairs of the Company and for the recovery of all Government Properties in her possession.

“That, Mr. Muyiwa Adekeye, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Kaduna State on Media and Communication from 29th May, 2015 to 29th May, 2023 be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for investigation on his involvement in the contracts in Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC).”

The state lawmakers had also uncovered N36billion allegedly paid for illegal contractual transactions by the past government of El-Rufai.

According to the lawmakers, the government of El-Rufai paid the sum of N36 billion for contracts that were not done and therefore violated the state procurement laws.