By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, on Thursday visited the Kaduna Correctional Facility to meet his former Chief of Staff, Mohammed Bashir Sa’idu, who is being held on charges of alleged money laundering and corruption.
El-Rufai’s visit came just hours after Sa’idu, who also served as Kaduna State Commissioner of Finance and Local Government during El-Rufai’s tenure, was remanded by a Magistrates’ Court in Rigasa.
The former governor, dressed in a green cap and light green agbada, arrived at the facility at 10:19 a.m. alongside three former commissioners—Jafaru Sani (Education), Hafsat Baba (Human Services and Social Development), and Ibrahim Hussaini (Environment). The visit lasted approximately 30 minutes, with El-Rufai departing at 10:47 a.m.
Refusing to address journalists, El-Rufai maintained a stoic demeanor, quickly boarding a Prado SUV and leaving the premises.
The Nigeria Police Force confirmed Sa’idu’s arrest over allegations of money laundering, criminal breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds. Investigations allege Sa’idu laundered N3.96 billion, misappropriated N244 million, and engaged in the undervalued sale of $45 million in state-owned foreign currency, causing significant financial losses to the Kaduna State government.
Police insiders stated that the foreign currency was sold at an exchange rate of N410 per dollar instead of the prevailing parallel market rate of N498, resulting in a loss exceeding N3.96 billion. This transaction reportedly contravenes Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Additionally, Sa’idu is accused of failing to account for N244 million from the sale of government houses in Kaduna’s Marafa Estate, an act constituting a breach of trust under Section 300 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.
Sources revealed that Sa’idu’s legal troubles began after the Kaduna State House of Assembly investigated alleged financial misconduct during his tenure. The findings were subsequently forwarded to the Police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The court has reportedly seized Sa’idu’s international passport as part of ongoing investigations.
According to a BBC Hausa report, El-Rufai also visited the office of Operation Fushin Kada but was unable to meet with security operatives. However, details of his discussions with officials remain undisclosed.
The media continues to monitor developments surrounding the high-profile case and the implications for the former administration’s financial dealings.
