How El-Rufia’s govt. siphoned N30bn, withdrew N721 million from IGR account, says Report
Kunle Sanni
Former governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State embezzled N30 billion from the state’s internally generated revenue account in collaboration with his commissioner of finance, according to a recent report from the investigative inquiry panel of the state House of Assembly.
WesternPost Online had reported that the ad hoc committee of the Kaduna State House of Assembly delivered a damning report that exposed financial irregularities and massive corruption that occurred under former Governor El-Rufai’s administration.
On Friday, this newspaper reported other details of the report that revealed that a total sum of N4.8 billion was illegally transferred from the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB account to Kaduna State Investment Promotion Agency (KADIPA) Indo-Kaduna SPV account.
El-rufia, an APC leader, served as governor from 2015 to 2023. Previously, he served as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory from 2003 until 2007 during the now-opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government.
The ad hoc committee led by Deputy Speaker of the House Henry Zacharia, who was tasked with looking into El-rufia’s government operations over the eight-year period, delivered its reports to Governor Uba Sani, his hand-picked successor, last week. The committee also labeled Elrufai’s actions as reckless and an instance of financial malfeasance never before seen in the state.
In response to these allegations, Elrufia has since denied the claims describing it as a hatchet job.
More corruption findings
Meanwhile, reviewing other details of the 175-page report, revealed that between May 2015 and May 2023, the Government of Kaduna State under the leadership of Elrufia, incurred Liability on Domestic and Foreign Loans to the tune of N98.9 billion and $758 million respectively and majority of them were obtained without due process and not utilised for the purpose they were obtained.
The report further stated that while the immediate past government total Revenue in Loans, FAAC, IGR, Grants, Refunds and Intervention from 2015 to 2023 amounted to N1.4 billion and $758 million, the Ministry of Finance in collaboration with Officers of KADIRS, the revenue collecting arm of the state government allegedly withdrew through 3rd parties and unauthorized debit cards the sum of N721 million from the state Internally Generated Revenue Account of the State.
Contract scam
The report also revealed that the total value of contract scam awarded by El-rufia in eight years was estimated at N510 billion, and out of this alleged amount, only the sum of N198 billion was paid to Contractors.
It stated further that the total contractual liabilities found by the Committee as at 29th May, 2023 stand at the sum of N311 billion and $26 million respectively.
On public liability (Gratuity and Pension) as at 29th May, 2023, the amount is estimated at N23,993,700,494.91.
“That, the Liability of the Kaduna State Government to the Consultants engaged between 29th May, 2015 and 29th May, 2023 is N602,026,388.55.
“That, the total amount of money withdrawn by the Commissioner of Finance and Accountant General stood at N4,936,916,333.00 and $1.4 Million USD.
“That, the total amount of money siphoned by the Government of Kaduna State from 29th May, 2015 to 29th May, 2023 is N423,115,028,072.88.
Recommendations
“The Committee has come to the conclusion that evidence has shown several cases of corruption in the running of the affairs of the Government, Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Kaduna State from 29th May, 2015 to 29th May, 2023 and hereby recommends as follows:-
“To direct the Kaduna Internal Revenue Service to withdraw the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) Account domiciled at Zenith Bank as Security for N20,000,000,000.00 guaranteed in 2023 forthwith and to request the bank to refund all monies deducted on account of the purported illegal guarantee together with the accrued interest thereof.
“That, all the Commissioners of Finance of the State from 29th May, 2015 to 29th May, 2023 be referred to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agencies for thorough investigation.
“That, all the Accountant Generals of the State from 29th May, 2015 to 29th May, 2023 be referred to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agencies for investigation.
