Hundreds of protesters on Monday stormed the Kaduna State House of Assembly, demanding a formal briefing on the status of the house’s investigation into the administration of former governor Nasir El Rufai.
The demonstrators, led by Yerima Shettima of the Northern Stakeholders Consultative Initiative (NSCI) and Aliyu Muhammad of the Coalition of Kaduna Stakeholders Forum (CKSF), submitted a petition to Yusuf Liman, speaker of the house urging the assembly to expedite update the publice on the probe.
Speaking with journalists at the Assembly complex, Shettima said the protest was a peaceful exercise of civic responsibility aimed at reinforcing transparency and accountability in governance.
He noted that the coalition was “concerned about the pace of the investigation and the need for regular public updates.”
According to him, “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.”
He argued that constitutional immunity no longer applies to officials who have left office and insisted that “allegations involving public resources and citizens’ welfare must be conclusively addressed.” The protesters urged the House to consider establishing a public engagement mechanism that would allow affected individuals, including traders, civil servants and displaced persons, to present memoranda.
The coalition’s petition read by Muhammad, cited allegations of financial mismanagement, including claims that N423 billion in loans and state funds were misappropriated during El-Rufai’s eight years administration.
The petition also referenced allegations concerning N1.37 billion earmarked for a light rail project, alongside other claims of questionable financial transactions.
The group further raised concerns over alleged human rights violations, including the detention of leaders of the Adara community, accusations of executive overreach and controversies linked to communal crises recorded within the period under his administration.
They called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti corruption agencies to undertake independent investigations in line with due process and the rule of law.
Responding while receiving the petition, the speaker, noted that the concerns expressed by the protesters were within their constitutional rights and assured that the house remained committed to its oversight responsibilities.
He recalled that the house had in June 2024 constituted an ad hoc committee to investigate alleged misappropriation of N432 billion and that its report had been forwarded to relevant authorities for further action.
The speaker stated that although the former governor had criticised the legislative inquiry, the house would not be distracted from its mandate.
He reaffirmed that no individual is above the law adding that “due process would guide every step taken by the assembly.”
Protesters storm Kaduna assembly, demands update on probe of alleged N423bn graft by El-Rufai’s administration
