From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
Mr Henry Danjuma, the Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee set up by the Kaduna State House of Assembly to investigate financial dealings in respect of loans and contractual obligations by the Kaduna State Government under Malam Nasir El-Rufai,has said that the committee may receive multiple testimonies from those invited to appear before it.
He noted that some testimonies succeeded in indicting persons not originally lined up for an invitation, who will be invited to appear before the committee based on the indictment.
The Committee was inaugurated recently by the Kaduna State House of Assembly to investigate the financial dealings of the 8-year administration of the former governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following an outcry by the incumbent governor, Uba Sani, over his inability to pay salaries and complete contracts because of inherited huge debts.
Mr. Danjuma said the committee swung into action as soon as it was inaugurated, adding that some key persons have been invited and interviewed by the committee, and got testimonies from them which may lead to other testimonies after further investigation.
Fielding questions from newsmen after its sitting which lasted into late night on Monday, the Committee chairman said all testimonies would be analyzed before reaching final findings and reports.
“The Ad Hoc Committee was inaugurated by the Kaduna State House of Assembly to investigate financial dealings that have to do with loans and contractual obligations by the Kaduna State Government from 29 May 2015 to May 29, 2023.
“Since the committee was inaugurated, we swung into work and we have reached a stage where today, we have invited some key persons that we deem it necessary to have them interviewed so that we can get testimonies as to aid to get to an appropriate conclusion. So that we can give a justified report of our committee.
“We remark that the entire session was open. Anybody that came took an oath to know that we are serious. That whatever is told must be honest. I think I’m happy that there have been honest discussions between us and those who appeared before us.
“We have not reached findings yet. Just because of testimonies, you have to go and analyze whatever has been said before us before we reach findings. Don’t worry. By the time we are done, we will invite the press to the final reports.
“The job of the committee is to investigate financial dealings that have to do with loans, contractual obligations, and so on to unravel whether there were any misdemeanors.
“The number of persons we are expecting to invite are not exhaustive. Depending on the evidence we heard from those before us, there might be people who may be invited based on the testimonies that we are receiving from those who have been invited. So, I cannot say this is the particular number that we are envisaging,” Danjuma said.
Our correspondent gathered that those invited so far included the former Commissioner for the Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure, Thomas Gyang, former Commissioner of the Ministry of Education, Ja’afaru Ibrahim Sani, former Agric commissioner, Dr. Manzo Daniel Maigari,Commissioner/administrator Zaria Metropolitan Authority, Balarabe Aliyu, and the former Managing Director of Kaduna State Roads Agency (KADRA), Engr. Mohammed Lawal Magaji.
Also invited were Administrator, Kafanchan Metropolitan Authority, Phoebe Yayi Sukai, among others.
