Probe: Kaduna Assembly requests that the Ministry provide El-Rufai's financial records.

Timmy Mabs|April 24th, 2024.

The state's Ministry of Finance has received a letter from the Kaduna State House of Assembly requesting information on financial transactions that took place between 2015 and 2023 while former governor Nasir El-Rufai's administration was in office.

This was related to the state assembly's investigation into all financial matters, loans, and contracts awarded during the El-Rufai administration.

The state Assembly's investigation was launched several weeks after Uba Sani, the current governor of Kaduna State, expressed regret over El-Rufai's massive debt load.

Speaking at a town hall gathering in Kaduna, Sani said he could not pay employee salaries because he inherited a little treasury.

Sani declared: "We are determined to lead Kaduna State towards growth and sustainable development, even with the enormous debt load of N587 million, N85 billion, and N115 billion contractual responsibilities that were regrettably carried over from the previous administration.
Subsequently, the Kaduna State House of Assembly agreed to probe El-Rufai’s administration, leading to an inauguration of a fact-finding committee.

Sakinatu Idris, Clerk of the Assembly, wrote to the Finance Commissioner to demand memorandum and documents related to financial transactions between May 2015 and May 2023.

In the letter, 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. (c) Payments and Outstanding Liabilities to Contractors from May, 2015-May, 2023.

“Reports of Salaries paid to Staff from 2016-2022. (e) Dloyd Reports on KADRIS from 2015 to 2023. (ii) Terms, Purpose and Conditions on those LOANS. (iii) Appropriation items related to the LOANS. (iv) 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.

“(v)Modalities for payments of contracts. (vi) Documents of all payments made to the contractors. (vii) 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, 25th April 2024 by 10:00 am, please. 4. Accept the highest regards of my office, please.”