El-Rufai will face consequences of his actions

A Kaduna State House of Assembly member representing Zaria constituency Mahmud Lawal has said former Governor Nasiru El-Rufai’s decision to pursue legal action over alleged misappropriation of N432 billion is “laughable”.

Lawal, one of the committee members probing the eight-year tenure of El-Rufai, said this in an interview in Kaduna on Friday.

He expressed dismay at El-Rufai’s sudden interest in the judiciary after allegedly neglecting it for so long.

“El-Rufa’i seems to have conveniently forgotten the Principle of Separation of Powers enshrined in the constitution, which mandates non-interference between the executive, legislature, and judiciary,” Lawal said.

“Does he believe that by resorting to legal action, he can obstruct the legislature from carrying out its constitutional duties? Rest assured, El-Rufa’i will face the consequences of his actions, and the public will soon witness this.”

The lawmaker alleged that Kaduna State had never experienced such blatant misuse of public funds as under El-Rufai’s tenure, where funds were misappropriated under the guise of project implementation.

He noted that the claimed expenditures were significantly disproportionate to the work accomplished.

“For instance, let me illustrate what occurred at Kofar Doka in Zaria, my constituency. Billions of Naira were purportedly allocated for road projects, but tragically, the only visible activity was bulldozers demolishing people’s homes, rendering them homeless,” he said.

Lawal criticized the projects carried out by the El-Rufa’i administration in Kaduna State, alleging that they were primarily aimed at personal enrichment, with little regard for the welfare of the populace.

He pointed out the deteriorating condition of roads from Unguwar Dosa to Malali and the questionable work undertaken at Kasuwar Magani in Kajuru.

“The shops started to wear off even before occupation by traders. The most brazen display of dishonesty was the metropolitan rail line project, for which a substantial amount of money in billions was allocated. But what happened to the project, and where is the money? The only evidence seems to be paper records indicating spending on surveys and map design.”

Lawal stressed that El-Rufai’s administration allegedly misappropriated public funds are estimated to be over N432 billion.

He urged the people of Kaduna State to support the probe committee in their efforts to recover the funds for the benefit of all.