By Ismail Maiginda
In a revelation that has rocked the foundations of Kaduna State, the Kaduna State House Assembly Committee has laid bare a staggering tale of alleged corruption, financial recklessness, and systemic mismanagement that spanned the eight-year tenure of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The committee’s report, a damning indictment of the administration, alleges a breathtaking N423 billion was misappropriated, leaving the state burdened with crippling debt, abandoned projects, and a trail of unanswered questions. This is not just a story of missing funds; it is a saga of betrayal, where the very institutions meant to safeguard the people’s resources were allegedly weaponized against them. The findings, which read like a thriller, have sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape, raising urgent questions about accountability, governance, and the future of Kaduna State.
The committee’s investigation, which spanned months of meticulous scrutiny, uncovered a labyrinth of financial irregularities that stretched across ministries, departments, and agencies. At the heart of the scandal is the alleged misuse of the Kaduna State Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) account, which was reportedly used as collateral for a questionable N20 billion guarantee. The committee has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the account from Zenith Bank and the refund of all deductions, including accrued interest. But this is merely the tip of the iceberg. The report paints a picture of a government machinery hijacked by greed, where Commissioners of Finance, Accountant Generals, and Chairmen of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) allegedly operated with impunity, turning the state’s coffers into a personal slush fund.
The committee’s recommendations are as sweeping as they are unprecedented. All Commissioners of Finance, Accountant Generals, and KADIRS Chairmen from 2015 to 2023 are to be handed over to law enforcement agencies for thorough investigation. The current Commissioner of Finance, the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), and the Executive Secretary of the State Pension Bureau have been asked to step aside to allow for unimpeded scrutiny. These measures, while drastic, underscore the depth of the alleged rot within the state’s financial apparatus. It is a clear signal that no one, no matter how highly placed, will be spared in the quest for accountability.
Contractors, too, are in the crosshairs. The committee has identified a litany of companies that allegedly benefited from the state’s largesse without delivering on their promises. Firms like Ronchess Global Resources PLC, and Chamberlayne Global Concept Ltd have been ordered to refund a staggering N36.35 billion for projects either abandoned, overpaid, or fraudulently executed. These contractors, who allegedly feasted on the state’s resources, now face the prospect of returning their ill-gotten gains. The committee’s findings reveal a pattern of reckless contract awards, where due process was routinely flouted, and projects were abandoned despite substantial payments. It is a damning indictment of a system that prioritized personal enrichment over public good.
The committee’s report also shines a light on the state’s debt crisis, which has left Kaduna teetering on the brink of financial ruin. The committee has declared that all loans obtained without due process between 2015 and 2023 are not binding on the state, a move that could potentially free Kaduna from the shackles of unjustified debt. The report alleges that the El-Rufai administration plunged the state into unprecedented debt, with loans obtained both domestically and internationally. Many of these loans, the committee claims, were secured without due process, leaving the state saddled with obligations it can ill afford. The committee’s recommendation to stop honoring these loans is a bold attempt to reclaim the state’s financial independence, but it is also a tacit admission of the scale of the problem.
But perhaps the most explosive allegations are reserved for former Governor Nasir El-Rufai himself. The committee accuses him of plunging the state into unprecedented debt, recklessly awarding contracts, and authorizing the withdrawal of billions in naira and dollars with no records of utilization. The report also alleges complicity in the diversion of funds and money laundering, recommending that El-Rufai be referred to law enforcement agencies for investigation. If proven, these allegations would represent a profound betrayal of the trust placed in him by the people of Kaduna. The report paints a picture of a governor who allegedly abused his office, using his position to enrich himself and his cronies at the expense of the state.
The committee’s findings also highlight several instances of unjustified cash withdrawals, including N4.9 billion by the Commissioner of Finance and Accountant General, and $1.4 million from the Kaduna State Economic Transformation Account. These funds, seemingly vanished into thin air, are now the subject of intense scrutiny. The committee has called for a thorough investigation into these withdrawals, with a view to recovering the missing funds and holding those responsible to account. It is a stark reminder of the brazenness with which the state’s resources were allegedly plundered.
The report also takes aim at consultants and companies that allegedly received millions without providing any tangible services. Companies like Tulip Future Associates Ltd and EDI-JEN CO. LTD, which received N632.4 million and N80 million respectively, have been ordered to return their ill-gotten gains. The committee’s findings reveal a culture of impunity, where state funds were allegedly funneled to phantom consultants with no oversight or accountability. It is a damning indictment of a system that prioritized personal enrichment over public good.
The committee’s recommendations are a bold attempt to reclaim the state’s future from the clutches of alleged corruption. Yet, the road to accountability is fraught with challenges. The sheer scale of the alleged malfeasance, the complexity of the financial transactions, and the potential resistance from powerful quarters all pose significant obstacles. But for the people of Kaduna, who have endured the consequences of mismanagement and neglect, this moment represents a glimmer of hope, a chance to rebuild their state on the foundations of transparency and justice.
The committee’s report is not just a litany of allegations; it is a clarion call for accountability and justice. It is a reminder that the people of Kaduna deserve better, that they deserve a government that works for them, not against them. The recommendations, if implemented, could mark a turning point in the state’s history, signaling a commitment to transparency and good governance. But the road ahead is long and fraught with challenges. The people of Kaduna must remain vigilant, holding their leaders to account and demanding the justice they deserve.
As the wheels of justice begin to turn, the eyes of the nation are fixed on Kaduna. Will this be the dawn of a new era, or will the shadows of the past prove too deep to dispel? One thing is certain: the story of Kaduna’s N423 billion scandal is far from over, and its resolution will shape the state’s future for generations to come. The people of Kaduna have endured enough. It is time for them to reclaim their future, to demand accountability, and to build a state that works for all its citizens. The journey will not be easy, but it is a journey worth taking. For in the end, it is not just about recovering stolen funds or holding corrupt officials to account; it is about restoring hope, rebuilding trust, and securing a brighter future for the people of Kaduna.
