…Warns EFCC of legal action if probe is ignored
A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Transparency Honesty Disclosure Trust (THDT), has filed a public interest petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), demanding the probe of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufa’i, over what it described as “massive corruption, mismanagement, and reckless looting of public funds” during his 8-year tenure.
In the petition, dated September 8, 2025, THDT cited the Kaduna State House of Assembly’s June 6, 2024 report, which it said exposed procurement frauds, inflated contracts, diversion of billions, loan racketeering, and abandoned projects that left Kaduna state in heavy debt.
The THDT allegations include: Procurement Fraud – Contracts awarded to cronies at inflated costs, including abandoned road projects; Agriculture Scam – ₦4.5bn Anchor Borrowers fund allegedly diverted; tree planting campaign gulped ₦500m with “no single tree to show”.
Others are: School Feeding Scandal – ₦10bn allegedly siphoned in just 8 months; Foreign Loan Fraud – $6m from India’s EXIM Bank and €110m from French AFD for light rail and BRT projects remain unaccounted for; Security Scam – ₦2.1bn for CCTV and drones allegedly awarded to el-Rufa’i’s brother – no equipment installed.
The rest are: Education Fraud – ₦1.6bn school-tablet project allegedly used as cash-out scheme, and Olam Farms Giveaway – ₦500m and 100 hectares of land “gifted” without budgetary approval.
THDT accused el-Rufa’i and close aides – including his senior aide, Jimi Lawal and Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye – of laundering billions through “phony consultancy contracts”.
The group warned that el-Rufa’i’s alleged looting worsened poverty, unemployment and insecurity in Kaduna.
“The financial recklessness and looting under el-Rufa’i plunged the state into needless debt, left schools, farms and public services in ruins, and threw thousands into joblessness”.
“El-Rufa’i plunged Kaduna into needless debt and hardship. Projects collapsed, schools suffered, and farmers were abandoned – all while billions disappeared”, the petition stated.
THDT demanded that: “EFCC must summon and investigate el-Rufa’i and his aides; Probe all foreign loans and recover stolen funds, and Prosecute those found culpable to serve as deterrent”.
The NGO gave EFCC five working days to act or face legal action for “failing in its statutory duty”. “If EFCC refuses to act, we will drag the commission to court. Justice must not only be done but be seen to be done”, said Alh. Mujahid Abass, who signed the petition.
