Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has initiated a legal action against the Kaduna State House of Assembly following its claim that his administration misappropriated N432 billion during his eight-year tenure, resulting in significant state debt.
The lawsuit challenged the findings of the Kaduna Assembly Committee, which accused the former governor of corruption.
Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has initiated a legal action against the Kaduna State House of Assembly following its claim that his administration misappropriated N432 billion during his eight-year tenure, resulting in significant state debt.
A fundamental rights suit was filed at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Wednesday by the former governor’s attorney, Abdulhakeem Mustapha, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
The lawsuit challenged the findings of the Kaduna Assembly Committee, which accused the former governor of corruption.
In the suit, it is requested that the court nullifies the Assembly’s probe report, citing lack of a fair hearing regarding the allegations against him and his administration.
The respondents named in the lawsuit include the Kaduna State House of Assembly, as well as the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice.
Earlier in June, the state Assembly’s ad hoc committee, tasked with investigating finances, loans, and contracts awarded during the El-Rufai administration, submitted its findings to the House.
Henry Zacharia, the committee’s chairman, highlighted concerns that many loans obtained during El-Rufai’s tenure were allegedly misappropriated or obtained without following due process.
Speaker Yusuf Liman stated that a total of N423 billion was purportedly misappropriated under El-Rufai’s administration, leading to significant state liabilities.
The committee recommended that El-Rufai and certain cabinet members be investigated and prosecuted by security and anti-corruption agencies for alleged abuses including diversion of public funds and money laundering.
Additionally, they advised the immediate suspension of Shizer Badda, who served as Finance Commissioner under El-Rufai.
In response, El-Rufai’s spokesperson, Muyiwa Adekeye, defended the integrity of El-Rufai’s governance, dismissing the committee’s claims as “scandalous”.
Adekeye asserted that El-Rufai is proud of his governance record and accused the committee of conducting a biased inquiry aimed at predetermined conclusions.
He criticised the committee for what he described as a departure from fairness and decency, portraying the probe as politically motivated. Adekeye affirmed that El-Rufai served Kaduna State with integrity and in compliance with all applicable laws during his tenure as governor.
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