The Kaduna State House of Assembly has formed a 13-member ad hoc committee tasked with investigating the financial transactions, loans, grants, and project executions during the tenure of former Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
The decision to constitute the ad hoc committee stemmed from a motion put forward by Hon. Yusuf Mugu, representing the Kaura Constituency.
According to Mugu, it was important to investigate loans borrowed by the previous administration to ensure transparency and accountability in governance.
“There have been uncompleted comments and assassinations of character on the leadership of the state, which the assembly cannot sit and watch. That is why I came up with this motion that the Speaker constitute a committee to investigate the allegations and negative comments on them.
“This is the only way the state can rekindle its confidence in its development partners, collaborators, and also those who give us loans and grants; failure to do this will push the indicators of the state to a situation whereby nobody will want to do business with us,” he said.
Former Speaker Yusuf Zailani, also a member representing the Igabi West constituency, recounted challenges he faced for denying approval for some loans during El-Rufai’s tenure. Zailani said it was necessary to scrutinise financial matters during the former Governor’s time in office.
“I suffered a lot in order not to give approval for the loan to be collected; even the then deputy Speaker Isaac Auta Zankhai was against me because I disagreed with the loan to be collected. I told the then-governor to look at the number of loans we had on hand, and he didn’t listen to me,” he said.
Members Samuel Kambai and Hon. Henry Zachariah Marah maintained that it was the responsibility of legislators to approve loans before they can be disbursed.
Speaker Yusuf Dahiru Liman urged the committee to summon past assembly speakers and relevant stakeholders for a comprehensive investigation to ensure transparency and impartiality.
The Assembly unanimously requested access to notes provided to Governor Uba Sani by the previous administration to aid the committee’s understanding of the state’s financial status.
The committee is chaired by Hon. Aminu Anti. It is mandated to investigate El-Rufai’s top associate, Jimi Lawal, and dig into financial dealings, loans, grants, and project implementation from 2015 to 2023.
Additionally, the committee is tasked with inviting notable personalities, including former assembly speakers, commissioners of finance, former managing directors of Kaduna markets, and commissioners of budget and planning, for further inquiry during the investigations.
News Central reported that on March 30, 2024, the Governor of Kaduna State Uba Sani disclosed during a townhall meeting that his administration inherited a debt of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities from the el-Rufai administration.
According to Governor, the monthly federal allocation for the state was being used to service the huge debts. He also cited this as the reason for the non-payment of salaries in the state.