The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been given a 72-hour deadline to arrest Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai over alleged misuse of over N423 billion during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State.
The Northern Christians Accord (NCA), which issued the call on Thursday, stated that it is long overdue for the EFCC to investigate and take action against El-Rufai for the alleged financial misconduct.
Led by Gideon Jato, the group questioned why it has taken the EFCC so long to act, especially after numerous petitions were submitted to the national headquarters.
This follows a report by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which implicated El-Rufai and several key officials in his administration for allegedly embezzling the N423 billion.
Read Also: El-Rufai Raises Strong Accusation Against Kaduna Governor Concerning Tinubu
An ad-hoc committee of the Kaduna State Assembly had, in June 2024, accused El-Rufai and his cabinet of corruption in the awarding of contracts and the management of both domestic and foreign loans acquired by the government during his tenure.
The committee’s report, submitted by chairman Henry Danjuma, detailed evidence of widespread corruption in the administration of government affairs in Kaduna State from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023.
Following the adoption of the report, the House recommended, among other actions, that the Kaduna Internal Revenue Service immediately withdraw a N20 billion IGR account from Zenith Bank, which was used as a security guarantee in 2023, and seek a refund of all funds deducted under this alleged illegal guarantee, along with the accrued interest.
It also recommended that the state’s finance commissioners and accountants general from 2015 to 2023 be referred to law enforcement agencies for further investigation.
In July 2024, a group called Kaduna Citizens Watch for Good Governance (KCWGG) filed a petition with the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against El-Rufai and his associates over the alleged N423 billion fraud.
Despite the indictment and petitions made seven months ago, no action has yet been taken to arrest or investigate the former governor.
“We perceive this as an affront and total disregard to the rule of law and a great insult to the sensibility of the people of Kaduna State, especially the institution of the State House of Assembly.
“For the EFCC and ICPC to have closed their eyes and shut their ears against the indictments, petitions and cries of Kaduna people, only means they are in support of corruption in Nigeria and as such, shielding El-Rufai.
“It is very glaring that the law in Nigeria is centrifugally positioned to favour some people and witch-hunt others. We remember how the EFCC was battling day and night few months ago, looking for former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, over a petition from a group in the state.
“But the same EFCC has brazenly become blind, deaf and dumb over El-Rufai issue, despite the indictment by the House of Assembly, and having received series of petitions from various groups. Whereas, in the case of Kogi State, the Assembly did not indict the former Governor, but EFCC went for him, arrested and arraigned him. But Kaduna is a special case that cannot be handled, because El-Rufai is untouchable?
“The man who was alleged to have stolen N80bn is already standing trial. Why is it taking EFCC and others years to prosecute a man who was indicted of stealing almost N500bn?
“The Northern Christians Accord is giving the EFCC and other agencies responsible for the arrest, prosecution and recovery of the N423bn confirmed by the Assembly to have been embezzled by El-Rufai, to do the needful and save themselves and the nation of this monumental embarrassment.
“Failure to do so, we shall not hesitate to create awareness about the complacency of the agencies, both within Nigeria and to the international community. We shall also mobilise our members across the 19 northern states, to match to the headquarters of EFCC and National Assembly.”
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaihFajBadmT29ufud2Z
