Crime
El-Rufai Denies Allegations Of Misappropriation, Vows To Swear By Quran
Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, has strongly refuted allegations of financial misappropriation leveled against his administration, pledging to swear by the Quran to prove his innocence.
El-Rufai made this declaration on Tuesday during a Hausa-language program aired on Freedom Radio in Kaduna.
He emphasized that his involvement in politics was never for personal gain but driven by a genuine desire to serve the people.
“I did not join politics to steal money or enrich myself. I was satisfied with what I had before becoming governor,” El-Rufai stated during the broadcast.
He added that he had always sought divine guidance in his actions and worked hard not to betray the trust of the people.
“Whenever the former governors of Kaduna State and other leaders are ready to swear with the Quran that they never misappropriated public funds, I will join them. I have no fear because I know I never took money that belonged to the people.”
El-Rufai’s comments come in the wake of a report by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which indicted his administration for misappropriating N423 billion over his eight-year tenure.
The former governor, however, dismissed these claims as politically motivated, and some of his former cabinet members have also denied the allegations.
He expressed confidence in his legal team, who have been instructed to take action against those tarnishing his reputation.
“I have left everything to God’s judgment… I have prayed and will remain silent on the issue for now,” he said, adding that he is currently focused on personal activities like reading and writing.
In a hint about his political future, El-Rufai revealed plans to re-enter politics in 2027 after completing his studies, noting that “there is no retirement in politics.”
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama has issued a public summons for former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, requiring him to appear in court on October 24.
This summons follows the filing of a 16-count charge of alleged fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC has accused Bello, alongside two others—Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu—of criminal breach of trust involving a staggering sum of N110.4 billion.
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The public summons was issued by Justice Maryanne Anenih on Thursday, after the EFCC reported difficulties in serving Bello with the charges.
Bello’s absence led to the postponement of his arraignment, which was originally scheduled for Thursday.
This latest development follows prior efforts to compel Bello to attend court, including a May ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite that mandated his physical presence, as well as a recent order from the Court of Appeal.
Darius Ishaku, the former governor of Taraba State, has been granted bail of N150 million by a high court in Maitama, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Ishaku appeared in court on Monday alongside Bello Yero, the former permanent secretary of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, facing serious allegations including criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and conversion of public funds.
The two defendants pleaded “not guilty” to a total of 15 charges during their arraignment.
In a court session on Thursday, their legal teams presented bail applications, which were not opposed by the prosecution.
Rotimi Jacobs, representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), stated that he had no objection since the defendants had previously been granted administrative bail.
Judge Sylvanus Oriji approved the bail, requiring each defendant to provide two sureties in the same amount as the bail.
The sureties must be responsible citizens residing in the FCT, with verifiable office and residential addresses.
Additionally, at least one surety for each defendant must hold a director-level position in the civil service.
The court imposed restrictions on both men, preventing them from traveling outside the country without prior approval and mandating that they deposit their travel documents with the court.
Ishaku, 70, who governed Taraba from 2015 to 2023, was previously invited by the EFCC in July 2023 regarding financial transactions during his tenure, resulting in his initial release on bail.
However, both Ishaku and Yero were arrested and detained by the EFCC on September 27, 2024.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 33 individuals suspected of involvement in internet fraud during a recent operation in Port Harcourt.
The agency announced the arrests via its X account (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday.
The suspects were apprehended in a sting operation in the Iwofe and Ogboro areas of the city, following credible intelligence regarding their alleged criminal activities.
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Along with the arrests, the EFCC seized a range of items, including several mobile phones, laptops, and boxes containing counterfeit United States dollars.
The operation also revealed fake stamps from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Customs, airport clearance, DHL, and FedEx, as well as two vehicles.
The suspects are currently in custody and will face charges in court upon the completion of ongoing investigations.
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