By Alade Adisa
The committee set up by the Kaduna State House of Assembly to probe the administration of former Governor Nasir el-Rufai has recommended an investigation and possible prosecution of the former governor over alleged ₦423 billion fraud.

According to the committee’s report, sighted by New Daily Prime, it also recommended an investigation and possible prosecution of all Commissioners for Finance who served during el-Rufai’s eight-year tenure as governor.
Other individuals recommended for investigation and possible prosecution include those who served as Chairmen of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) from 2015 to 2023, as well as Muyiwa Adekeye, the Special Adviser on Media and Communication to the former governor, among others.
The committee further recommended the recovery of over ₦120 billion from various financial institutions.
The report stated that evidence uncovered multiple cases of corruption in the administration of Kaduna State from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023. Based on its findings, the committee made the following key recommendations:
- The Kaduna Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) should withdraw the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) Account domiciled at Zenith Bank, which was used as security for a ₦20 billion loan guarantee in 2023. The bank should also refund all illegally deducted funds, along with accrued interest.
- All Commissioners of Finance from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023, should be referred to appropriate law enforcement agencies for thorough investigation.
- All Accountant Generals of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023 should be investigated by law enforcement agencies.
- All Chairmen of Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) from 2018 to 2023 should be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for thorough investigation.
- The current Commissioner of Finance should step aside to allow for a proper investigation into the Ministry of Finance’s activities from 2015 to 2023.
- The current Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) should step aside to facilitate a thorough investigation into the board’s operations during the same period.
- The current Executive Secretary of the State Pension Bureau should also step aside to allow for a full investigation into the bureau’s financial activities.
- The Managing Directors of the Kaduna Market Development and Management Company Ltd from 2015 to 2023 should be referred to law enforcement agencies for an investigation into their handling of the company’s affairs.
- The coordinator of Kaduna State’s Irrigation Program for Wheat Cultivation in Ruwan Sanyi, Kubau Local Government Area in 2016 should be investigated.
- Dolapo Popoola, the former Managing Director of ALL KAPSCO, whose whereabouts are unknown, should be investigated regarding her handling of the company’s affairs and be compelled to return all government properties in her possession.
- Muyiwa Adekeye, former Special Adviser on Media and Communication, should be investigated over alleged involvement in contract irregularities at Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC).
- Managing Directors of Kaduna Roads Agency (KADRA) from October 11, 2017, to November 2021, excluding Engineer Amina Ja’afar Ladan, should be investigated for their role in the award and poor execution of contracts. Additionally, senior management staff should be redeployed to other ministries.
- All domestic and foreign loans obtained by Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023, which were allegedly acquired without due process, should not be considered binding on the state. The government is advised to stop honoring any obligations related to these loans.
The committee recommended that contractors who received payment for unexecuted projects, overpayments, or fund diversions should refund ₦36,351,126,811.65 to the Kaduna State Government. The companies involved include:
- Ronchess Global Resources PLC – ₦6.61 billion
- Chamberlayne Global Concept Ltd – ₦3.56 billion
- M/S Prestige Integrated Services Ltd – ₦162.9 million
- Other companies, including Philco Nig. Ltd, Gulu Engineering & Technical Services Ltd, CCECC Nigeria Ltd, Rafali Nigeria Ltd, and Spectrum Engineering Ltd, among others.
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The committee identified multiple suspicious transactions and recommended their recovery:
- Unjustified cash withdrawals of ₦4.93 billion (2019-2022) by the Commissioner of Finance and the Accountant General should be investigated.
- Unauthorized withdrawal of $1.4 million from the Kaduna State Economic Transformation Account should be investigated by law enforcement.
- ₦632.4 million paid to TULIP FUTURE ASSOCIATES LTD without an official contract should be recovered.
- ₦80 million paid to EDI-JEN CO. LTD on March 3, 2023, as an imprest, despite the recipient not being a government employee, should be refunded.
- ₦757.4 million paid into an account in Sterling Bank under Sarkin Ayuka Global Resources Ltd should be recovered.
- ₦1.41 billion paid to MISHA Travels Agency by the Accountant General should be refunded.
- ₦333 million paid to ALMASS MULTI LINKS VENTURES (FCMB Account No. 6249747019) should be recovered.
The committee also demanded that $1.4 million be recovered from certain contractors and returned to the Kaduna State Government.
- Skipper Nig. Ltd, a company that allegedly abandoned multiple contracts after receiving large payments, should be investigated.
- Jimmy Lawal, former Senior Adviser-Counselor to Governor Nasir el-Rufai, should be investigated for introducing fraudulent companies that secured high-value contracts, many of which were later abandoned.
The committee’s report directly implicated Nasir el-Rufai, stating that as Chief Executive Officer of Kaduna State, he violated his oath of office and engaged in financial mismanagement.
It accused him of:
- Accumulating excessive domestic and foreign debt, surpassing the total loans acquired by Kaduna State from 1965 to 1999, many of which were allegedly secured without proper procedures.
- Awarding reckless contracts without due process, leading to numerous abandoned projects despite substantial payments.
- Approving excessive cash withdrawals in both naira and dollars without proper accountability.
- Directing the Kaduna Public Procurement Agency (KADPPA) to bypass due process in contractor payments.
- Engaging in money laundering and fund diversions, violating financial regulations.
As a result, the committee has recommended that El-Rufai be referred to law enforcement agencies for in-depth investigation and potential prosecution.
This report, if acted upon, could mark a significant anti-corruption probe into the financial dealings of Kaduna State’s former administration. Investigations and possible legal actions are expected to follow.