N432bn Fraud: Kaduna Lawmaker Dismisses El-Rufai’s Legal Challenge As ‘Last-Ditch Effort’

A member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly representing Zaria constituency, Hon. Mahmud Lawal, has described former Governor Nasiru El-Rufai’s decision to pursue legal action regarding the ongoing probe into alleged misappropriation of N432 billion during his tenure as “laughable” and “the final desperate act of a failing administration.”

In an interview with newsmen in Kaduna, Hon Lawal, also known as Bola Ige, a member of the committee investigating the alleged misappropriation, expressed dismay at El-Rufai’s sudden interest in the judiciary after neglecting it for so long.

“El-Rufa’i seems to have conveniently forgotten the principle of separation of powers enshrined in the constitution which mandates non-interference between the executive, legislature and the judiciary. Does he believe that by resorting to legal action, he can obstruct the legislature from carrying out its constitutional duties? Rest assured, El-Rufa’i will face the consequences of his actions, and the public will soon witness this,” he emphasized.

The lawmaker maintained that Kaduna State had never experienced such blatant misuse of public funds as under El-Rufai’s tenure, where funds were allegedly misappropriated under the guise of project implementation.

He noted that the claimed expenditures were significantly disproportionate to the actual work accomplished.

“For instance, let me illustrate what occurred at Kofar Doka in Zaria, my constituency. Billions of Naira were purportedly allocated for road projects, but tragically, the only visible activity was bulldozers demolishing people’s homes, rendering them homeless,” he revealed.

Lawal further criticised the projects carried out by the El-Rufa’i administration in Kaduna State, alleging that they were primarily aimed at personal enrichment, with little regard for the welfare of the populace.

He pointed out the deteriorating condition of roads from Unguwar Dosa to Malali and the questionable work undertaken at Kasuwar Magani in Kajuru. “The shops started to wear off even before occupation by traders. The most brazen display of dishonesty was the metropolitan rail line project, for which a substantial amount of money in billions was allocated. But what happened to the project, and where is the money? The only evidence seems to be paper records indicating spending on surveys and map design.”

Hon Lawal further explained that the public funds misappropriated by the El-Rufai administration under the guise of project execution amount to more than N432 billion and urged the people of Kaduna State to support the probe committee in their efforts to recover the funds for the benefit of all.