Alleged Corruption: Anti-El-Rufai Protests Rock Kaduna

Protests have rocked Kaduna as Northern Stakeholders Consultative Initiative and Coalition of Kaduna Stakeholders’ Forum marched to Kaduna State House of Assembly and submitted a letter calling on the lawmakers to provide clear updates on the status of its probe of former governor Nasir El-Rufai’s eight-year tenure.

The protesters backed the investigation of ex-governor Nasir El-Rufai by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged corrupt practices.

Leading the protest to Kaduna State House of Assembly, Yerima Shettima, said as the former Governor El-Rufai visited the EFCC, the protesters called on anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to carry out their duties with professionalism, independence, and thoroughness, ensuring that investigations were conducted in full accordance with the law and due process.

Shettima said, “They should make sure he does not leave in a haste, he should be detained to make sure all proper investigations are carried out. If they let him go free without doing the right thing, they will face the wrath and anger of the citizens, we will be compelled to use all legal available options to ensure justice and accountability are served.

We will continue to pressure untill the right thing is done.

“To the media, we make a sincere appeal. The struggle for accountability cannot succeed without a free, courageous, and responsible press.”

Shettima said, “Our position is simple and lawful. No one is above the law. No individual is bigger than democratic institutions. Accountability strengthens democracy, protects citizens, and sets necessary precedents for future leadership.

We remain committed to peaceful civic engagement, lawful advocacy, and democratic processes. Our objective is justice, transparency, and the protection of the rights and dignity of the people of Kaduna State.”

Receiving the protesters at the Assembly complex,  Speaker Kaduna State House of Assembly, Yusuf Dahiru Liman, said the house set up probe committee in 2024 over misappropriation of N432bn by the El-Rufai’s administration and findings were submitted to appropriate authorities.

“I am here with all the House of Assembly members. We set up committee in June 2024 over misappropriation of 432bn by the former governor Nasir El-Rufus’s administration and we submitted our findings to appropriate authorities,” Liman said.