N32bn Gov’t Assets: Group calls for El-Rufai’s prosecution after May 29

Ahead of the end of his tenure, a Civil Society Or­ganisation (CSO) under the aegis of Nigeri­an Movement for Probity and Accountability (NMP) has asked the Federal Gov­ernment to commence the prosecution of the Kadu­na State governor, Nasir El-Rufai over the sale of public properties when he was Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The group said that proceeds from sales of the properties from 2005 to 2007 was N32 billion, and that the fund however allegedly disappeared without trace.

In a statement on Friday by NMP’s National Coordi­nator, Bako Isaac, National Secretary, Mallam Kaoje and Director of Publici­ty, Salisu Abdulkadir, the non-profit organisation reminded the Federal gov­ernment, the Economic and Financial Crimes Com­mission (EFCC) and other anti-graft agencies that El-Rufai flagrantly abused the guidelines set by the Federal Executive Council in the sale of FG houses at the time.

The CSO further said it monitored the case while it lasted in Court until the time it was discontinued, adding that the time was ripe for its continuation.

“El-Rufai at the time un­derstood succinctly that the Federal Executive Council under the former President and Commander-in-Chief, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo approved guidelines for the sale of Federal Gov­ernment properties in the Federal Capital Territory which the transaction un­der the Nasir El-Rufai was questionable.

“With regards to remit­ting the sum of N32 billion into the coffers of the Feder­al Government at the time, Nigerians need to know.

“At the time legal pro­ceedings were initiated against El-Rufai by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission be­tween 2018 and 2019, the CSO said he had become the Executive governor of Kaduna State, hence, he enjoys immunity which the anti-graft agency could only investigate and not prosecute him.

“This was confirmed by Justice Binta Nyako vide the Federal High Court ruling on 20th November 2019, where she held that, “no court would stop the EFCC from investigating anyone in line with its con­stitutional mandate. No court, including this one, will allow itself to be used to shield anybody from be­ing investigated by the 1st respondent,” it added.

The group said, Court ruling was at the backdrop of El-Rufai’s spirited and audacious move to stop the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from investigating and prosecut­ing him over the proceeds of sales of the Federal Government Houses in the Federal Capital Territory when he held sway as FCT Minister. (Saturday Independent)