Kaduna Assembly begins Investigation over Multi-Million Dollar Loans, Projects from el-Rufai’s Tenure

A committee formed to investigate the financial activities in Kaduna during the tenure of Nasir el-Rufai, the state’s former governor, has begun its inquiry.

The 13-member committee, established by the Kaduna Assembly in April, will examine loans, grants, and project execution from 2015 to 2023—the years during which el-Rufai governed the state.

Suraj Bamalli, the media aide to Yusuf Liman, the Speaker of the Kaduna Assembly, announced the start of the investigation in a statement released on Tuesday.

“The adhoc committee tasked with conducting a comprehensive fact-finding into financial transactions, the status of completed contracts, loans, grants, and project implementation from 2015 to 2023 has started its review sessions,” the statement said.

The committee has conducted thorough discussions with several key current and former government officials, including former Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce, Honorable Manzo Maigari; former KADPPA head and Commissioner of Budget and Planning, Honorable Thomas Gyang; and Commissioner and Administrator of Zaria Metropolitan Authority, Hajia Balaraba Aliyu, among others.

The Kaduna State House of Assembly expressed appreciation for the cooperation and contributions of all involved in this process and assured the public of their commitment to maintaining the highest standards of governance.

On March 30, Kaduna’s current governor, Uba Sani, stated that his administration inherited a debt of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities from el-Rufai’s government. He noted that the substantial debt burden is significantly affecting the state’s share of monthly allocations from the federal government.