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Kaduna Assembly Accuses El-Rufai of Corruption, Calls for Suspension of Commissioner
The Kaduna State House of Assembly ad-hoc committee probing the financial dealings of the eight years administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai has indicted him and some key members of his cabinet for alleged corruption in the awards of contracts and management of both domestic and foreign loans obtained by his government.
In the report submitted to the House by the chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Henry Danjuma, it said that there was evidence of 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.
After adopting the report, the house recommended that the Kaduna Internal Revenue Service withdraw the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) Account domiciled at Zenith Bank as Security for #20,000,000,000.00 guaranteed in 2023 forthwith and request the bank to refund all monies deducted on account of the purported illegal guarantee together with the accrued interest thereof.
It also recommended 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 a thorough investigation; and 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.
The lawmakers also recommended the suspension of the commissioner of finance Shizzer Bada to allow for proper investigation into the activities of the Ministry from 29th May 2015 to May 29th, 2023.
The House also recommended that El-Rufai breached his oath of office contained in the 7th Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended and failed to exercise due discretion in the administration of the state.
It recommended that El-Rufai be referred to anti-corruption agencies for a thorough investigation and necessary prosecution for plunging the state into unwanted, unjustified, and fraudulent domestic and foreign debts, diversion of funds, and money laundering contrary to all extant laws and regulations.
Other recommendations included “That, the Chairmen of Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) from 2018 to 2023 be referred to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agencies for a thorough investigation. That, the current Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) do step aside to allow for a thorough and proper investigation into the activities of the Board from 29th May 2015 to 29th May 2023.
“That, the current Executive Secretary of the State Pension Bureau do step aside to allow for proper investigation into the activities of the Bureau from 29th May, 2015 to 29th, May, 2023.
“That, all the Managing Directors of the Kaduna Market Development and Management Company Ltd from 29 May 2015 to 29th May 2023 be referred to the relevant law enforcement agencies for a thorough investigation into their handling of the affairs of the company.
“That, the coordinator of the Kaduna State Government’s Irrigation Programmes for the cultivation of Wheat at Ruwan Sanyi, Kubau Local Government Area in 2016 or thereabout, be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for a thorough investigation.
“That, Ms. Dolapo Popoola, the immediate past Managing Director of AlL KAPSCO whose where about is not known, be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for an investigation into her handling of the affairs of the company and the recovery of all government properties in her possession.
“That, Mr. Muyiwa Adekeye, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Kaduna .. State on Media and Communication from 29th May 2015 to 29th May 2023 be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for investigation on his involvement in the contracts in Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC).”
The house further recommended that all the managing directors of Kaduna Roads Agency (KADRA) from 11th October 2017 to November 2021 except for Engineer Amina Ja’afar Ladan who only spent a month in office, be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for an in-depth investigation into their roles in the award and poor execution of contracts during their tenure, while management and senior staff of the agency be redeployed to other relevant ministries and agencies.
It also recommended that all loans (Domestic and Foreign) obtained by the Kaduna State Government between 29th May 2015 to 29th May 2023 and found by the committee to have been obtained without due process are not binding on the State and the State Government should henceforth stop honouring all limit, obligations arising from them.
It also directed some contractors to refund to the Kaduna State Government a total sum of N36,351,126,811.65 being monies paid for work either not done, overpayment, or diversion.
The House also indicted El-Rufai ‘s former senior Adviser – Counsellor, Jimmy Lawal who was saddled with the coordination of the activities of government ministries and agencies albeit without any constitutional role, for abusing the trust bestowed on him.
The House alleged that Lawal used the opportunity to introduce dubious companies to which he secured the award of several contracts at outrageous amounts and which contracts were abandoned after payment of substantial contractual sums, and diversion of funds meant for execution of projects, and therefore referred him to the relevant law enforcement agencies for a thorough investigation and necessary action
Real Madrid have been handed a major injury concern after Kylian Mbappe was forced off during France’s clash with Türkiye with an apparent knee problem.
The France captain scored the only goal of the game with a brilliant low-driven finish but was unable to continue after appearing to hurt his knee, with Zinedine Zidane confirming that the forward will return to Madrid for further assessment.
France struggled to break down a determined Türkiye side before Mbappe provided the decisive moment midway through the first half.
The Real Madrid star was set up by Michael Olise after France won possession high up the pitch, with Mbappe producing a powerful low finish from a tight angle to put his side ahead.
However, the goal quickly became secondary when the 27-year-old appeared to injure his knee during the action. Mbappe initially attempted to continue despite the problem, but he was eventually forced off minutes later as concern grew over the severity of the injury.
Debutant France coach Zinedine Zidane subsequently provided an update on the France captain during an interview admitting that the early signs were worrying.
“Unfortunately, it’s not looking good. I think he will have to return to Madrid. We are not going to take any risks. He has a knee hyperextension from the impact. This is not encouraging. We are not going to take any risks.”
The decision to withdraw Mbappe means France will now wait for further medical examinations to determine the extent of the damage.
Real Madrid sweating over Mbappe
The injury will also be a major concern for Real Madrid, who have come to rely heavily on Mbappe since his arrival from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024. The France captain has scored 94 goals in 111 appearances for the Spanish giants, including eight goals in eight games this season.
His current form has also placed him among the leading contenders for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, alongside Barcelona star Lamine Yamal.
For Real Madrid, however, individual accolades will be secondary while they wait to discover whether Mbappe has suffered a serious setback.
Zidane’s decision not to risk the forward further suggests France are taking the injury seriously, with Mbappe now expected to return to Madrid.
The extent of the knee problem remains unclear, but Real Madrid will be hoping the hyperextension does not result in a lengthy spell on the sidelines for their most important attacking player.
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Corruption: EFCC Boss Exposes Public Officers ” They Assume Office With Empty Account But Own Millions Of Dollars In 3 Years”
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, says Nigerian politicians steal public funds every minute.
He spoke in Abuja at the 80th birthday celebration of former Attorney-General, Kanu Agabi.
Olukoyede said the anti-graft agency receives over 20,000 corruption petitions every year, adding that most of the cases are shocking.
“I receive over 20,000 petitions in a year in respect to public corruption, all terrible. What is going on? Like every minute, public officers take money, and if you go through some of our case files you will weep.
“The way people take national resources and Nigerians are victims of these fraudulent activities. And we must come together for once in our lifetime and say no to the activities of some of our leaders,” Olukoyede said.
The EFCC boss said some public officers resume office with less than N100,000 in their account, but after three years, EFCC will trace millions of dollars to them.
He said some of them build hundreds of houses while still in office, noting that corruption is killing Nigeria.
Olukoyede said public officers must explain what they did in office, stressing that accountability and transparency must guide public service.
The Ogun State Police Command says, it has arrested 43-year-old Edebiri Temitope, who allegedly beat his neighbour to death with a bamboo stick for hugging his son in Bluestone Treasure Estate, Mowe-Ofada area of Ogun State.
The deceased, 38 years old Micheal Oje, a Guidance and Counselling graduate of Benue State University, was accused of hugging and playing rough with the 3-year-old child .
According to Peter Adum, a younger cousin to the deceased, Micheal had just returned from work and the child who lived with them on the same street, ran towards him and hugged him.
He stated that Michael hugged the boy and threw him playfully in the air and caught him, before going into his room to sleep.
Adum said, “While he was sleeping, Adebiri, the father of the boy, came outside and knocked on his door. When Mike came out, the man accused him of playing roughly with his child. Mike explained that he had only hugged the boy and lifted him into the air.
“That was how the man then started slapping Mike. He picked up a bamboo stick from the ground and hit him about three times. Mike fell and died on the spot.”
The suspect was reported to have gone into hiding with his family.
However, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi on Friday, said the suspect had been arrested and transferred to the State CID, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.
“Edebiri Temitope, ‘M’, aged 43 years, who was earlier reported to be at large, has been arrested in connection with the death of Oje Michael Eje, ‘M’.
“The suspect has been transferred to the State CID, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation,” Babaseyi stated.
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