Former aides of ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, have vehemently denied the N423 billion fraud allegations levied against the administration by the state’s House of Assembly. The ex-officials clarified that the funds from World Bank loans were utilized for various developmental projects and infrastructure, such as the Urban Renewal Programme.
The Kaduna State House of Assembly’s ad hoc committee had accused El-Rufai and some appointees of embezzling state funds. Despite the report’s release, the former officials criticized the assembly for not providing a certified copy of the report. They explained that loans were secured through due process and were used for the state’s development.
The ex-officials emphasized that projects initiated or funded by the El-Rufai administration, including educational and health initiatives, are now being credited to the current administration. They also raised concerns about conflicts of interest within the committee, citing a member’s relation to the governor.