Kaduna protesters storm House of Assembly over El-Rufai probe
…Speaker: No one above law, findings already submitted Hundreds of protesters on Monday stormed the Kaduna State House of Assembly, demanding updates on the ongoing legislative probe into the administration
…Speaker: No one above law, findings already submitted
Hundreds of protesters on Monday stormed the Kaduna State House of Assembly, demanding updates on the ongoing legislative probe into the administration of former governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The protesters, led by Ambassador Yerima Shettima of the Northern Stakeholders Consultative Initiative and Aliyu Muhammad of the Coalition of Kaduna Stakeholders Forum, submitted a formal protest letter to the Speaker, Hon. Yusuf Dahiru Liman.
Addressing journalists before presenting the letter, Shettima described the protest as a peaceful democratic action aimed at compelling transparency and accountability.
He said the visit to the Assembly was to seek clarification on the progress made in the legislative investigation into the previous administration and to ensure that justice was not delayed.
“This matter is about the destiny of Kaduna State and its people. It is about public trust and whether democratic institutions can truly protect citizens and hold leaders accountable after they leave office,” he said.
The coalition stressed that immunity no longer applies to public officers once they leave office, insisting that investigations into matters of public interest must not stall indefinitely.
They urged the Assembly to provide clear updates on the status of its probe and consider creating an open platform for affected citizens, including traders, civil servants and displaced families, to present their grievances.
Aliyu Muhammad, who read the protest letter, cited allegations of financial mismanagement, including claims that N423 billion in loans and state funds were misappropriated under the former administration.
The group also referenced alleged diversion of N1.37 billion earmarked for a light rail project, as well as other claims of questionable cash transactions and financial misconduct involving top officials.
Beyond financial allegations, the protesters raised concerns over alleged human rights abuses, including the detention of Adara community leaders, accusations of executive overreach and controversies surrounding communal crises during the period.
They further urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-graft agencies to conduct thorough, independent investigations in line with due process.
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Responding after receiving the letter, Speaker Liman said the concerns raised by the protesters were legitimate and assured that the House remained committed to its constitutional responsibilities.
He disclosed that the Assembly had in June 2024 set up a committee to investigate alleged misappropriation of N432 billion and that its findings had since been submitted to the appropriate authorities.
According to him, the former governor had criticised the lawmakers over the probe, but the House would not be distracted from its duties.
“There are gullible minds who do not understand the role of the legislature, but we stand by our documented findings. Anybody found wanting will face the full wrath of the law,” the Speaker said, adding that peaceful protest remains constitutional.
He declared that no one is above the law and stressed that the Assembly would not tolerate any attempt to derail the process, even as the protesters dispersed peacefully after the engagement.
