Alleged money laundering: Kaduna Assembly indicts El-Rufai for embezzling N423bn, abuse of office
…Tells EFCC, security agencies to investigate ex-Gov, other cabinet members
…Orders contractors to refund N36.4bn for uncompleted projects, overpayment
By Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna
The Kaduna State House of Assembly has received a damning report from its ad-hoc committee investigating the financial activities of the immediate past governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
The report alleges that El-Rufai’s administration embezzled a staggering N423 billion, leaving the state with huge liabilities.
Presented by the committee chairman, Hon. Henry Magaji Danjuma, the report reveals that loans obtained during El-Rufai’s tenure were not used for their intended purposes, and in some cases, due process was not followed.
The report also calls for the immediate suspension of the Kaduna State Commissioner of Finance, Shizer Badda, and the chairman of the state’s universal basic education board (SUBEB), who served in the same capacities under El-Rufai’s administration.
The committee alleges that El-Rufai colluded with commissioners and heads of parastatals to defraud the state, circumventing due process in contract payments.
The Committee which alleged that, some government contractors were overpaid, while others collected money without executing the assigned projects, thereby recommended that, contractors it listed including; Ronchess Global Resources PLC, Chamberlayne Global Concept Ltd and M/S Prestige Integrated Services Ltd among others should refund a total sum of N36.3 billion being monies paid for work either not done, overpayment or diversion to the Kaduna State Government.
Also, the committee has indicted El-Rufai and his cabinet members, urging security and anti-corruption agencies to investigate them for contract fraud, diversion of public funds, money laundering, and plunging the state into debt.
According to Hon. Henry, “The Governor of Kaduna State between 29th May, 2015 to 29th May, 2023 as the Chief Executive Officer of the State breached his Oath of Office contained in the 7th Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and failed to exercise due discretion in the administration of the State thereby indulged in: Plunging the State into unwanted, unjustified and fraudulent Domestic and Foreign Debts over and above the total Loans obtained by Kaduna State from 1965 to 1999 and majority of which were obtained without due process.
“Reckless awards of Contracts without due process and due execution leading to several abandoned Projects despite payments. Authorised the humongous withdrawals of cash both in Naira and Dollars with no records of utilization and denied the State of the needed resources for development.
“Complicit activities with Commissioners and Heads of Parastatals to defraud the State by issuing directives to KADPPA to circumvent due process in the payment of Contractors vide letter dated 21st June, 2021.
“Diversion of funds and money laundering contrary to all extant Laws and regulations and accordingly should be referred to the Law Enforcement Agencies for in-depth investigation and appropriate action.
“The Committee has come to the conclusion that evidence has shown several cases of corruption in the running of the affairs of the Government, Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Kaduna State from 29th May, 2015 to 29th May, 2023 and hereby recommends as follows:-1. To direct the Kaduna Internal Revenue Service to withdraw the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) Account domiciled at Zenith Bank as Security for #20,000,000,000.00 guaranteed in 2023 forthwith and to request the bank to refund all monies deducted on account of the purported illegal guarantee together with the accrued interest thereof.
“That, all the Commissioners of Finance of the State from 29th May, 2015 to 29th May, 2023 be referred to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agencies for thorough investigation.
“That, all the Accountant Generals of the State from 29th May, 2015 to 29th May, 2023 be referred to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agencies for investigation.
“That, the Chairmen of Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) from 2018 to 2023 be referred to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agencies for thorough investigation.
“That, the current Commissioner of Finance, Kaduna State do step aside to allow for proper investigation into the activities of the Ministry from 29th May, 2015 to 29 May, 2023.
“That, the current Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) do step aside to allow for thorough and proper investigation into the activities of the Board from 29th May, 2015 to 29 May, 2023.
“That, the current Executive Secretary of the State Pension Bureau do step aside to allow for proper investigation into the activities of the Bureau from 29th May, 2015 to 29 May, 2023.
“That, all the Managing Directors of the Kaduna Market Development and Management Company Ltd from 29 May, 2015 to 29th May, 2023 be referred to the relevant Law Enforcement Agencies for a thorough investigation into their handling of the affairs of the Company.
“That, the coordinator of the Kaduna State Government’s Irrigation Programmes for the cultivation of Wheat at Ruwan Sanyi, Kubau Local Government Area in 2016 or thereabout, be referred to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agencies for a thorough investigation.
“That, Ms. Dolapo Popoola, the immediate past Managing Director of AlL KAPSCO whose whereabouts is not known, be referred to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agencies for investigation into her handling of the affairs of the Company and for the recovery of all Government Properties in her possession.
“That, Mr. Muyiwa Adekeye, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Kaduna .. State on Media and Communication from 29th May, 2015 to 29th May, 2023 be referred to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agencies for investigation on his involvement in the contracts in Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC).
“That, all the Managing Directors of Kaduna Roads Agency (KADRA) from 11th October, 2017 to November, 2021 with the exception of Engineer Amina Ja’afar Ladan who only spent a month in office, be referred to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agencies for in-depth investigation into their roles in the award and poor execution of contracts during their tenure, while Management and Senior Staff of the Agency be redeployed to other relevant Ministries and Agencies..
“That, all Loans (Domestic and Foreign) obtained by the Kaduna State Government between 29th May, 2015 to 29th May, 2023 and found by the Committee to have been obtained without due process are not binding on the State and the State Government should henceforth stop honouring all Limit, obligations arising from them.”
Meanwhile, the committee ordered contractors to refund a total sum of N36.4 billion paid for projects not executed, overpayment, and diversion of funds.
The contractors listed include Ronchess Global Resources PLC, Chamberlayne Global Concept Ltd, M/S Prestige Integrated Services Ltd, and nine others.
Hon. Henry Danjuma, disclosed that the refunds are for monies paid for work either not done, overpayment, or diversion.
The amount includes N6.6 billion paid to Ronchess Global Resources PLC, N3.6 billion paid to Chamberlayne Global Concept Ltd, and N162.9 million paid to M/S Prestige Integrated Services Ltd.
Additionally, the committee recommended that the Commissioner of Finance and Accountant General of the State be investigated for unjustified cash withdrawals totaling N4.9 billion between 2019 and 2022.
“That, the Contractors listed here under should refund to the Kaduna State Government a total sum of 36,351,126,811.65 being monies paid for work either not done, overpayment or diversion as follows:1. Ronchess Global Resources PLC 2. Chamberlayne Global Concept Ltd 3. M/S Prestige Integrated Services Ltd AMOUNT N6,611,475,813.35 A3,566,760,185.98 N162,954,467.77 M/S Philco Nig. Ltd M/S Gulu Engineering & Technical Services Ltd CCECC Nigeria Ltd Danjiro Nigeria Ltd Rafali Nigeria Ltd Sanjo Nigeria Ltd Konstrand Nigeria Ltd Spectrum Engineering Ltd Bindigary Construction Ltd Gmorli Nigeria Ltd Shiyuma Nigeria Ltd ,Farm Track Nigeria Ltd.
“That, the unjustified cash withdrawals to the tune of N4,936,916,333.00 between 2019 to 2022 by Hon. Commissioner of Finance and the Accountant General of the State be referred to the appropriate Law enforcement Agencies for in-depth investigation and necessary action.
“That, the unjustified withdrawals of the sum of $1.4 Million USD from the Kaduna State Economic Transformation Account No. 0809009141 for the period of 30/10/2020 – 06/05/2020 be referred to the relevant Law Enforcement Agencies for in-depth investigation and appropriate action,” he added.
