A group under the aegis of Kaduna Good Governance and Monitoring Forum, has backed the arrest of Jafaru Ibrahim Sani, a commissioner who served under the administration of former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai.
The group praised the security agencies for the arrest and demanded his immediate prosecution.
The forum, in a statement signed by Comrade Mustapha Mohammed, urged the State government to intensify efforts to ensure that all those linked to the funds looted under the previous administration are arrested and prosecuted without delay.
According to the group, there is nothing wrong with the arrest and subsequent arraignment of a public office holder in court on allegations of corruption and money laundering.
“While stating that though the charges have not been made public, it is alleged that information gathered after preliminary investigation revealed that Jafaru Sani is facing money laundering charges”.
It recalled that the Kaduna State House of Assembly Committee probed alleged corruption and financial irregularities during the tenure of ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai and did submit its report, revealing that a total sum of N423 billion was allegedly siphoned under his administration, leaving the state with huge liabilities.
“We also recalled that some commissioners and aides who served under El-Rufai were invited and interrogated, such as Former Finance Commissioner Bashir Saidu, who was arrested and arraigned for embezzling state funds.
“But instead of El-Rufai allowing the law to take its course, he took to his Facebook page on Thursday to accuse the government of the day of setting up the arrest, even when evidence has been provided in court.
“As concerned citizens and residents of the state, we are happy and have hope that our looted funds will be recovered and used for development. We are also elated that the two other arms of government are doing their job. However, the judiciary should under no circumstance, succumb to any propaganda within this period of prosecution of anyone found wanting.
“There is nowhere any country can develop without instruments of checks and balances. The Kaduna State House Assembly has done a great job, and now the judiciary is working in line with our desire to recover funds stacked in the hands of corrupt politicians.
“Let the people of Kaduna join hands with Governor Uba Sani’s administration to recover our looted funds,” it said.
