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2 days ago
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Hours after Bashir Sa’idu, a former Commissioner during Nasiru El-Rufai’s administration, was remanded in a Kaduna correctional facility over alleged corruption and money laundering, the former Governor made an unannounced visit to the facility.
El-Rufai, accompanied by key allies from his administration, also attempted to meet the presiding judge at the court where Sa’idu was arraigned but was unsuccessful.
According to a BBC Hausa report, the former Governor later visited the office of Operation Fushin Kada, the unit involved in Sa’idu’s arrest, but could not engage with security operatives present.
Sa’idu, who served as Commissioner of Finance and Chief of Staff under El-Rufai, faces allegations of laundering ₦3.96 billion and misappropriating ₦244 million.
The charges were from transactions involving the undervalued sale of $45 million in state-owned foreign currency at ₦410 per dollar, far below the prevailing parallel market rate of ₦498, causing substantial losses to Kaduna State.
Further allegations include the mismanagement of proceeds from selling government properties in Marafa Estate, valued at approximately ₦244 million.
Authorities say these acts violate the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.
The Kaduna State House of Assembly had previously flagged Sa’idu’s financial dealings and referred the case to anti-corruption agencies, including the EFCC and ICPC. His international passport has since been confiscated.
While critics claim the arrest is politically motivated, allegedly orchestrated through Operation Fushin Kada, the police insist it is based on credible allegations of financial misconduct.
El-Rufai declined to address the media following his visits to the correctional facility and the police command. His actions, however, have drawn public attention, fueling speculation about his involvement or support for Sa’idu.
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