The Kaduna State House of Assembly has uncovered significant financial misconduct during the eight-year tenure of former governor Nasir El-Rufai, disguised as project execution. Henry Magaji, the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Fact-Finding Committee, stated on Wednesday that their investigation revealed numerous poorly executed or abandoned projects, as well as non-existent projects.
Magaji noted that the assembly’s attention was drawn to a recent press conference by senior political appointees of the previous administration, which attempted to discredit the probe committee’s report with baseless accusations. He emphasized that the appointees did not address the core issue of systematic corruption through fraudulent contracts and outright theft of state resources.
The State House of Assembly conducted a thorough investigation into the substantial debts incurred by the past administration, which did not correspond to completed projects. Magaji explained that the findings revealed extensive financial mismanagement under the guise of project execution, leading to poorly executed, abandoned, and imaginary projects.
Magaji called on anti-corruption agencies to investigate and question those implicated in the report, asserting that only these agencies can validate or disprove the findings. He advised the former appointees to prepare their defenses rather than attempting to discredit the assembly. Magaji reiterated that the House is fulfilling its duty to the people of Kaduna State and expects the accused to answer charges of malfeasance and abuse of office.
He mentioned that the House is currently involved in a legal dispute with Nasir El-Rufai over issues of fair hearing but refrained from further comments due to the ongoing litigation. Magaji stressed the assembly’s commitment to the rule of law and due process.
As elected representatives, Magaji affirmed their responsibility to act in the best interests of Kaduna State’s citizens. The investigation was part of their constitutional duty to ensure the welfare and security of the people. He criticized the former political appointees for their desperate attempts to undermine the House and cover up the alleged fraud, stating that if they had the state’s best interests at heart, they would have worked towards its development instead of engaging in corruption.