Former Kaduna state governor Nasir el-Rufa’i, who was initially arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) operatives shortly after his release from the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), landed in the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) custody over a pending trial before the Federal High Court, Kaduna Division, regarding the failed ₦11.1bn Joint-Venture (JV) Kaduna light-rail project.
According to the ICPC, the money was collected by a JV partner during el-Rufa’i’s administration, but the project wasn’t executed, while also adding that part of the money (₦1.373 billion) was diverted into a private account by Jimi Lawal during the administration of former Governor Nasir el-Rufa’i.
The anti-graft commission said that between December 2016 and January 2017, the then-governor approved the payment of ₦11.1 billion to the entity, which was not formally incorporated by the CAC until 10 May 2017. From the ₦11.1 billion paid to Mrts JV Nigeria’s account domiciled with Sterling Bank, ₦1.373 billion was allegedly diverted into a private account tracked down by ICPC.
Following an application by the ICPC last year, the Federal High Court, Kaduna Division, had temporarily ordered the forfeiture of ₦1,373,180,510.07, which was part of the cash for the failed Kaduna light-rail project.
