Full list of corruption allegations against El-Rufai revealed

The Kaduna State House of Assembly has indicted former Governor Nasir El-Rufai and key members of his administration for alleged corruption linked to contract awards and loan management during his eight-year tenure. This conclusion followed a thorough investigation by an ad hoc committee tasked with probing El-Rufai’s governance from May 2015 to May 2023.

The committee’s chairman, Henry Danjuma, presented a report outlining multiple instances of alleged corruption within state government ministries, departments, and agencies. The investigation specifically scrutinized the handling of domestic and foreign loans, uncovering significant discrepancies and mismanagement.

One key recommendation from the committee was the withdrawal of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) account currently held at Zenith Bank, which had been used as security for a ₦20 billion loan guarantee in 2023. The committee demanded that Zenith Bank refund all deductions from this account, including accrued interest, citing the guarantee as illegal.

The committee also recommended referring all state finance commissioners and accountant generals from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023, to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for investigation. Furthermore, they suggested suspending the current commissioner of finance, Shizzer Bada, to allow for a proper investigation into the ministry’s activities during this period.

The House concluded that El-Rufai breached his oath of office as per the 7th Schedule of the Nigerian Constitution and failed to exercise due discretion in state administration. They recommended referring him to anti-corruption agencies for thorough investigation and possible prosecution for plunging the state into unjustified and fraudulent debts, diversion of funds, and money laundering.

Additional recommendations included:

• Investigating the Chairmen of Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) from 2018 to 2023.
• Having the current Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) step aside for a thorough investigation.
• Investigating the current Executive Secretary of the State Pension Bureau.
• Referring all Managing Directors of the Kaduna Market Development and Management Company Ltd from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023, to law enforcement agencies.
• Investigating the coordinator of the Kaduna State Government’s Irrigation Programmes for Wheat cultivation in 2016.
• Investigating Ms. Dolapo Popoola, the immediate past Managing Director of KAPSCO, whose whereabouts are unknown.
• Investigating Mr. Muyiwa Adekeye, the Special Adviser on Media and Communication from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023, for his involvement in contracts with the Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC).
• Referring all Managing Directors of Kaduna Roads Agency (KADRA) from October 11, 2017, to November 2021, except for Engineer Amina Ja’afar Ladan, to law enforcement agencies for an in-depth investigation into their roles in contract awards and execution.

The House also recommended that all loans obtained by the Kaduna State Government between May 29, 2015, and May 29, 2023, which were found to lack due process, should not be binding on the state, and that the state government should cease honoring these obligations. Additionally, they directed some contractors to refund ₦36,351,126,811.65 to the Kaduna State Government for work either not done, overpaid, or diverted.

Finally, the House indicted former senior adviser Jimmy Lawal for abusing his position by introducing dubious companies and securing contracts at outrageous amounts, which were subsequently abandoned after receiving substantial payments. Lawal was also referred to law enforcement agencies for investigation and necessary action.