Kaduna Assembly Reaffirms El-Rufai Indictment, Denies Shielding Ex-Governor

The Kaduna State House of Assembly has reaffirmed its indictment of former governor Nasir El-Rufai, insisting that it has concluded its legislative probe into the 2015–2023 administration and forwarded its findings to appropriate authorities in line with constitutional provisions.

The speaker of the House, Yusuf Dahiru Liman, clarified the position while addressing members of the Coalition of Kaduna Stakeholders Forum who staged a peaceful protest at the Assembly complex to demand updates on the probe.

Liman said the House conducted a comprehensive fact-finding exercise that uncovered serious allegations, including financial mismanagement and the misappropriation of public funds.

He added that the committee’s findings were duly documented and referred to the relevant agencies for further action.

“The House does not have prosecutorial powers. Our constitutional responsibility is oversight, investigation and referral. We have discharged that responsibility in accordance with due process and the rule of law,” he said.

The speaker dismissed insinuations that the Assembly was shielding the former governor, stressing that the legislature had acted within its mandate and that due process must be allowed to take its course.

The protesters, led by Ambassador Yerima Shettima, convener of the Northern Stakeholders Consultative Initiative, later submitted a letter to the Speaker after addressing journalists within the Assembly premises.

In a media address delivered by the convener of the Coalition of Kaduna Stakeholders Forum, Aliyu Muhammad, the group said it was seeking clarity on the status of the legislative probe and steps being taken to ensure accountability.

Muhammad maintained that the protest was a peaceful and democratic follow-up to earlier calls for lawful scrutiny of the former governor’s actions while in office, adding that immunity no longer applies after leaving office and that investigations into matters of public interest should not be allowed to stall.

The coalition referenced allegations raised during legislative proceedings, including claims of the misappropriation of N423 billion in loans and state funds, the alleged diversion of N1.37 billion linked to a light rail project, and other allegations of financial impropriety.

Muhammad also expressed concerns over certain governance decisions and human rights-related issues during the period under review.

He called on anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to conduct their investigations professionally and independently, urging strict adherence to due process.

Muhammad further appealed to the media to sustain balanced and responsible reporting in the interest of transparency and democratic accountability.