Probe: Kaduna Assembly Demands El-Rufai’s Financial Transactions From Ministry....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Kaduna State House of Assembly has reached out to the state’s Ministry of Finance, demanding details of financial transactions during the tenure of former governor Nasir El-Rufai, covering the period between 2015 and 2023.

Governor Uba Sani had raised concerns a few weeks ago about his inability to pay workers’ salaries due to the loan obtained by his predecessor during his time in office.

“Despite the huge debt burden of N587m, N85bn, and N115bn contractual liabilities sadly inherited from the previous administration, we remain resolute in steering Kaduna State towards progress and sustainable development,” Governor Sani said.

In response to this, the Kaduna State House of Assembly vowed to probe the financial expenditure of El-Rufai’s administration.

Sani’s revelation triggered reactions from various quarters, including El-Rufai’s son, Bashir, who took to his social media handle to accuse his father’s successor of shying away from his responsibility.

Bashir accused the governor of always staying away from the state and residing in Abuja, instead of being present in Kaduna to fulfill the duties he was elected for.

The letter, with reference number LEG/S. 382/VOL. II/615, from the office of the Clerk of the Assembly to the Finance Commissioner, requested the submission of a memorandum and documents related to financial transactions between 2015 and May 2023.

In the letter signed by the Clerk of the Assembly, Sakinatu Idris, and obtained by PUNCH Online on Wednesday, the House directed the ministry to forward all the transaction details to the fact-finding committee set to probe all finances, loans, and contract projects awarded under El-Rufai’s administration.

It read, “I am directed to request that you forward to the Ad-Hoc Committee Memorandum the under-listed documents and all other documents you consider relevant to the assignment of the Committee: –

• Total Loans from May 2015 to May 2023 with the approvals of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, the Accounts into which the loans were lodged and drawn as recorded by Project Finance Management Unit (PFMU) & Debt Management Office (DMO).
• Relevant State Executive Council Minutes of meetings, Council’s Extracts, and Resolutions with regards to the Loans.
• Payments and Outstanding Liabilities to Contractors from May 2015 to May 2023.
• Reports of Salaries paid to Staff from 2016-2022.
• Dloyd Reports on KADRIS from 2015 to 2023.
• Terms, Purpose, and Conditions on those LOANS.
• Appropriation items related to the LOANS.
• All Records of payments made to all Contractors engaged by the State Government and relevant documents from May 2015 to May 2023, including Bank Statements.
• Modalities for payments of contracts.
• Documents of all payments made to the contractors.
• Sales of government Houses/Properties and accounts; the proceeds were lodged and how the money was expended.

Thirty (30) copies of the Memo/documents should reach the office of the clerk to the legislature on or before Thursday, April 25, 2024, by 10:00 am, please. Accept the highest regards of my office, please.”