The Kaduna State House of Assembly has summoned current and former commissioners, administrators, and contractors to testify before its ad-hoc committee investigating the eight-year administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Among those summoned are former Commissioner of Public Works and Infrastructure, Thomas Gyang, former Commissioner of Education, Ja’afaru Ibrahim Sani, and former Managing Director of Kaduna State Roads Agency (KADRA), Engr. Mohammed Lawal Magaji.
The state Assembly initiated the probe to scrutinize all finances, loans, and contract projects awarded during El-Rufai’s tenure. This comes after the incumbent Governor, Uba Sani, revealed a substantial debt burden inherited from the previous administration.
Addressing the issue during a town hall meeting in Kaduna, Governor Uba Sani lamented, “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.”
The revelation prompted reactions from various quarters, with El-Rufai’s son, Bashir, accusing Governor Sani of neglecting his duties and spending too much time in Abuja rather than focusing on Kaduna’s affairs.
In response to these developments, the Kaduna State Assembly’s ad-hoc committee summoned both current and former officials to provide insights into the financial dealings and contractual obligations of El-Rufai’s administration. The officials underwent rigorous questioning at the Assembly Complex, with sessions lasting from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Chairman of the Committee, Henry Danjuma, representing the Kagarko constituency, emphasized the importance of gathering testimonies to uncover any discrepancies in loans and contractual obligations during El-Rufai’s tenure.
He stated, “Depending on the evidence we heard from those before us, there might be people that may be invited based on the testimonies that we are receiving.”
“I’m happy that there have been honest discussions between us and those that appeared before us.
“The Adhoc Committee is to investigate financial dealings that have to do with loans and contractual obligations by the Kaduna State Government from 29 May 2015 to May 29, 2023, to unravel whether there were any misdemeanours.”
The committee’s mandate is to ensure transparency and accountability in Kaduna State’s financial transactions from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023. Danjuma stressed the committee’s commitment to conducting a thorough investigation to determine whether any wrongdoing occurred during the specified period.