Elrufai

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Kaduna State Police Command has responded to allegations made by former Governor Malam Nasiru El-Rufai, who claimed that his former Commissioner, Malam Jafaru Sani, was abducted by a group of kidnappers he referred to as the “Uba Sani Group,” allegedly connected to the police.

The police dismissed the claim, emphasizing that there is no such group within the Nigerian Police Force.

According to the police, the Nigerian Police Force was established under the 1999 Constitution, with the primary responsibility of maintaining law and order.

They further urged the former governor to verify the truth of any allegations before making public statements.In a press release issued by the police spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, he stated:

“We have taken note of a statement made by the former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasiru El-Rufai, on his X platform, where he accused his former Commissioner, Malam Jafaru Sani, of being abducted by a group of kidnappers known as the ‘Uba Sani Group,’ whom he claimed to be police officers.”El-Rufai also alleged that Jafaru Sani was detained in prison without any police report (FIR) or charges filed by the state Ministry of Justice.

“There is no such group of kidnappers within the Nigerian Police Force. The police is a lawful body established by the constitution to uphold law and order.”

The police further explained that they are authorized to arrest and investigate anyone accused of committing a crime under the provisions of the law.

They noted that any individual, company, or government body has the right to file a complaint with the police, and if a crime is committed, the matter will be taken to court for trial.

The police urged the public, especially those in positions of authority, to exercise caution and avoid making baseless accusations against security agencies.

They warned that such unfounded claims could create confusion and undermine the integrity of security institutions.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Ja’afar Ibrahim Sani, a former commissioner under the administration of ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has been arrested by security operatives in Kaduna State.

The arrest, which occurred in the wake of his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has raised eyebrows.

Sani, who served as Commissioner for Local Government, Education, and Environment, was reportedly detained on the orders of the state government.

While the full details of the arrest remain unclear, sources indicate that police officials were involved in the operation.

Notably, Sani was the individual nominated by El-Rufai to replace him as a Minister in 2023, but his nomination was blocked by the Senate following security reports from the State Security Service.

His political journey has been marred by controversies, including opposition from the current Governor of Kaduna, Uba Sani, who disagreed with El-Rufai’s choice for the position.

In a letter dated March 10, 2025, Sani announced his departure from the APC, citing his disillusionment with the party’s leadership, which he accused of drifting away from its founding progressive ideals.

By Sumayyah Auwal Usman

The Kaduna State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has welcomed the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, into its fold.

In a  statement issued by the interim SDP chairman in the state, Hon. Nasiru Maikano, stated that the ex-governor’s decision to join the party is a welcome development that will undoubtedly bolster the SDP’s influence not only within the state, but the country.

Hon Maikano said “as a highly respected and accomplished political leader, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai will bring his wealth of experience and expertise that will enrich our party. We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with El-Rufai and work together towards a shared vision for the development and growth of Kaduna State.”

El-Rufai’s resignation from the All Progressive Congress (APC) comes after months of speculation surrounding his political allegiances and dissatisfaction with the ruling APC.

His defection to the SDP is expected to shake up the political landscape, particularly in northern Nigeria and may likely trigger more defections out of the ruling APC. 

BySumayyah Auwal Usman

In a dramatic political development in Kaduna State, prominent loyalists of former Governor Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufa’i have defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Key figures among the defectors, including founding members of the APC, former legislators, commissioners and appointees, formally announced their decision at the SDP national secretariat in Abuja.

Hon. Nasiru Maikano, who emerged as the interim chairman of the SDP in Kaduna State stated that “We have decided to leave the APC and join the SDP because we believe that the party aligns more closely with our vision for the future of Kaduna State.”

The recent defections of political figures from the APC to the SDP in Kaduna State have been interpreted by many political pundits as a reflection of the deteriorating relationship between Governor Uba Sani and former Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Kaduna State High Court has once again refused to grant bail to the former Chief of Staff to the former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Alhaji Bashir Sa’idu.

The court has ordered that he be returned to custody after being charged with 10 counts of alleged corruption, embezzlement, and theft during the administration of Malam Nasir El-Rufai.

When the case was resumed before Justice Isa Aliyu on Tuesday, the 10 charges were read to the defendant, to which he pleaded not guilty.

Among the charges, Sa’idu is accused of selling $45 million of the Kaduna State government’s funds—equivalent to N18.45 billion—at a rate of N498 per dollar, which allegedly resulted in a loss of N3.96 billion to the state government.

According to the prosecution, the offense occurred in 2022 when Sa’idu was serving as the Commissioner for Finance in El-Rufai’s government.

The prosecutors further stated that Sa’idu is accused of embezzling N3.96 billion, which violates Section 18 of the 2022 Anti-Corruption Act.

The defendant’s lawyer, M.I. Abubakar, informed the court that there was a need for bail to be granted to his client, as he had already spent 21 days in custody since his arrest on January 2, 2025.

He also informed the court that a bail application had been filed on January 16, 2025, adding that granting bail would allow Sa’idu to properly prepare his defense against the charges.

However, the prosecution’s counsel, Professor Nasiru Aliyu, objected to the bail request, stating that the law allows the prosecution seven days to respond to the bail application.

After a 40-minute recess, Justice Isa Aliyu ruled that the prosecution should be given sufficient time as provided by the law to respond to the bail request.

The court has adjourned the case to January 23, 2025, for further consideration of the bail application.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The arrest of a former Kaduna Commissioner of Finance and Local Governments, Mohammed Bashir Sa’idu by the Police over alleged money laundering, criminal breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds has been confirmed.

A security source confirmed to The Nation a petition received by the Police accused Sa’idu of laundering N3.96 billion and misappropriating N244 million during his tenure in the Kaduna State government between 2015 and 2023.

The allegations include the sale of $45 million in state-owned foreign currency at an undervalued exchange rate of N410 per dollar instead of the parallel market rate of N498 per dollar, causing a loss of over N3.96 billion to the government.

The source said this transaction breaches Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.Sa’idu is also accused of failing to account for proceeds from the sale of government houses in Marafa Estate, Kaduna, amounting to approximately N244 million.

This constitutes a breach of trust under Section 300 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.

Reports indicate the Kaduna Assembly previously investigated Sa’idu’s financial dealings and forwarded its findings to anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

As part of the investigation, Sa’idu’s international passport has been seized.Critics have attempted to frame the arrest as politically motivated, claiming it was orchestrated through Operation Fushin Kada, a unit established to combat banditry.

However, the police have dismissed these claims, emphasizing that the arrest is based on credible allegations of financial crimes.

Sa’idu, who served in various capacities in Kaduna State, including as Chief of Staff and Commissioner of Finance, remains in detention as investigations continue.