The Kaduna State House of Assembly has established a 13-man adhoc committee to scrutinize financial transactions, loans, grants, and project executions during the tenure of the immediate-past Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai.
The decision to form the committee was prompted by a motion put forward by Honorable Yusuf Mugu, the representative for Kaura Constituency.
Mugu emphasized the importance of investigating the loans acquired by the former governor, stressing the necessity for transparency regarding their utilization for the benefit of the state.
Former Speaker Yusuf Zailani, also weighed in on the matter, recounting his opposition to certain loans during El-Rufai’s administration.
Zailani underscored his struggles in denying approval for some loans, despite which they were still procured by the Governor.
Members of the Assembly, including Samuel Kambai representing Zangon Kataf and Honorable Henry Zachariah Marah representing the Jaba constituency, highlighted the legislative responsibility to approve loans before their acquisition. They expressed concern over the divergence from this norm in Kaduna State.
In response, Speaker Yusuf Dahiru Liman directed the ad hoc committee to summon past Speakers and relevant stakeholders to provide insights into the loan acquisition and expenditure processes.
The committee, led by Honorable Aminu Anti as Chairman and Honorable Yusuf Mugu as Deputy Chairman, has been tasked with investigating not only financial transactions but also El-Rufai’s close associate and senior investment advisor, Jimi Lawal.
Furthermore, the committee is mandated to scrutinize financial dealings, loans, grants, and project implementations spanning from 2015 to 2023. It will call upon various notable figures, including former Speakers, commissioners of finance, and former managing directors of Kaduna markets, among others, to provide necessary information.
Governor Uba Sani, in a town hall meeting with stakeholders, revealed the challenges posed by the significant debts inherited from El-Rufai’s administration, citing difficulties in meeting salary obligations and executing projects. This revelation has reportedly caused divisions within the Kaduna chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
