Hundreds of demonstrators stormed the Kaduna State House of Assembly on Monday, February 16, 2026, demanding swift action and a public update on the probe into former Governor Nasir el-Rufai’s administration over alleged N423 billion in graft.
Led by Yerima Shettima of the Northern Stakeholders Consultative Initiative (NSCI) and Aliyu Muhammad of the Coalition of Kaduna Stakeholders Forum (CKSF), the group handed a petition to Speaker Yusuf Liman, pressing lawmakers to accelerate the investigation launched on el-Rufai’s tenure.
Speaking to reporters amid chants and placards, Shettima called the rally a peaceful stand for civic duty, transparency, and accountability.
He slammed the probe’s glacial pace and radio silence on progress, warning that it erodes public trust, undermines institutional integrity, and lets ex-officials off the hook.
“The issues under review relate to public trust, institutional integrity and the responsibility of democratic structures to hold former public office holders accountable for their stewardship,” Shettima said.
He said constitutional immunity for elected officials ends upon leaving office, noting that allegations involving public funds and citizens’ welfare must be resolved conclusively.
The coalition’s petition, read by Muhammad, cited allegations of financial mismanagement, including allegations that N423 billion in loans and State funds were misappropriated during el-Rufai’s eight-year administration.
The petition also referenced allegations concerning N1.37 billion earmarked for a light rail project, alongside other claims of questionable financial transactions.
Among other issues, the petition raised concerns over alleged human rights violations, including the detention of leaders of the Adara community, accusations of executive overreach and controversies related to communal crises recorded during his administration.
The two groups, according to reports, called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-corruption agencies to carry out independent investigations into the allegations against the former governor in line with due process and the rule of law.
Receiving the petition, the speaker acknowledged the protesters’ constitutional right to demonstrate and reaffirmed the assembly’s commitment to oversight.
He recalled that in June 2024, the house constituted an ad hoc committee to investigate alleged misappropriation of N423 billion, adding that the report of the findings has been forwarded to relevant authorities for action.
Liman said el-Rufai had criticised the inquiry but insisted the assembly would stay focused on its mandate.
“No individual is above the law,” he said.
0 comments:
Post a Comment