Politics
Alleged N423bn fraud: I’ll swear with Holy Quran, I didn’t join politics to steal money – El-Rufai

Politics tamfitronics

The immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday, dismissed allegations of financial misappropriation by his administration, vowing to swear by the Quran to prove his innocence.

El-Rufai explained that his sojourn into politics was driven by his desire to serve the people and not to amass wealth or embezzle public funds.

He stated this in Kaduna during a Hausa programme aired on Freedom Radio in the state capital.

“I did not join politics to steal money or enrich myself.  I was satisfied with what I had before becoming governor,” the former governor said.

“I have always prayed for guidance in all I do, and I strive not to betray the trust of the people.  Whenever the former governors of Kaduna State and other leaders are ready to swear with the Quran that they never misappropriated public funds, I will join them.  I have no fear because I know I never took money that belonged to the people.

“I have left everything to God’s judgment. I have prayed and will remain silent on the issue.  I have instructed my lawyers to take legal action against those tarnishing my name, but for now, I’m focused on my activities like reading and writing.”

The former governor also hinted about his next political move, stating that he plans to bounce back in politics in 2027 after completing his studies.

According to him, there is no retirement in politics.

His statement followed the report of the Kaduna State House of Assembly which indicted his administration of misappropriation of N423 billion during its eight-year tenure.

Some members of his cabinet had on some occasions denied the allegations, describing the House of Assembly report as politically motivated.

Channels

Top Stories
Alleged Assassination Attempt on Former President Trump Linked to Rhetoric of Biden and Harris

Top Stories Tamfitronics

Former President Donald Trump has claimed that the man who allegedly attempted to assassinate him while he was golfing on Sunday was motivated by the “rhetoric” of President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, stated in an interview with Fox News that the suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, believed the rhetoric of Biden and Harris and acted upon it. Routh was discovered hiding in the bushes near Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, armed with a tactical rifle, a scope, and a GoPro camera.

Trump pointed out that Routh used language similar to that of Biden and Harris, who have repeatedly expressed concerns about Trump’s impact on American democracy. Routh, who has posted various political comments on social media, has also been interviewed by major news outlets in recent years regarding his efforts to recruit Afghans to support Ukraine against Russia’s invasion.

The incident follows another assassination attempt on Trump in July, where he was grazed by a bullet at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, opened fire with a semiautomatic rifle, and the motive behind the attack remains unclear.

Trump accused Biden and Harris of being the “enemy from within” and claimed that they are the real threat to the country. He argued that their rhetoric is causing him to be targeted while he believes he is the one who can save the nation.

The Democrats, on the other hand, have criticized Trump for refusing to accept his defeat in the 2020 election, culminating in the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. Biden and Harris have been accused of taking Trump’s statements out of context to support their argument, including misrepresenting his comments about a potential “bloodbath” in the auto industry if he lost the election.

Spokespeople for Biden and Harris have not yet commented on Routh’s use of language similar to theirs. Routh, who claimed to be a disillusioned former Trump supporter in 2020, also expressed support for former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and GOP businessman Vivek Ramaswamy running together as an independent presidential ticket.

Top Stories Tamfitronics CrimeDoor

Top Stories
News24 | Three alleged Gauteng ‘Grindr Gang’ kidnappers to face more charges in Cape Town

Top Stories Tamfitronics

Top Stories Tamfitronics play article

Subscribers can listen to this article

Top Stories Tamfitronics The three appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. (Jenni Evans/News24)

The three appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. (Jenni Evans/News24)

Three Sowetan men alleged to be part of the “Grindr Gang”, which catfishes and then holds to ransom online matches, appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court again on Tuesday.

Mlungisi Vincent Mbutu, Bongani Zulu and Zwelakhe Ngwenya of Soweto were arrested in connection with the kidnapping and extortion of a man who was held hostage in Woodstock over the Youth Day weekend.

Prosecutor Luzaan Williams said since their first appearance in court last week, other alleged victims have come forward.

South Africans need to be in the know if we want to create a prosperous future. News24 has kept the country informed for 25 years, and we’re about to enter a new chapter of fearless journalism. Join our free subscription trial to unlock this story and a world of news aimed to inform, empower, and inspire.

Next on News24

DEVELOPING | IEC head Mamabolo says MK Party’s vote-rigging claims are ‘patently false’

1h ago

Top Stories Tamfitronics DEVELOPING | IEC head Mamabolo says MK Party's vote-rigging claims are 'patently false'

Top Stories
EFCC arrests 7 over alleged illegal mining activities in Ilorin

Top Stories Tamfitronics

Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested seven suspects over alleged in illegal mining in Kwara.

Its Spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Oyewale said the commission also arrested two other suspects for allegedly offering N1.2 million bribe to compromise the operatives of the Commission.

”The arrest, which followed credible intelligence and days of surveillance, was carried out on Friday, May 24, at Ogbomosho, Oyo State.

“The suspects are: Waliyu Abidoye, Abubakar Auwal, Abdulrauf Hakim, Sabiu Usman, Salihu Godwin, Dauda Mohammed and Olalekan Aremu.

”At the point of arrest, five truckloads of assorted minerals suspected to be lepidolite, lithium and precious stone among others were recovered from the suspects,” he said.

According to him, preliminary investigations reveals that the suspects are not licensed miners and did not have requisite authority to purchase and possess the minerals.

”They were also not paying royalties to the Federal and States Governments, as required by law,” Oyewale said.

He said the commission also arrested two other suspects, Faleti Waheed and Noah Olalekan, who allegedly offered N1.2million bribe to the operatives to secure the release of one of the seized trucks.

The EFCC spokesman said the duo approached the commission operatives at the point of arrest and negotiated to give them money to secure the release of the seized truck.

”The officers played along and got the suspects arrested at the point of delivering the money.

”The sum of N995,500 was recovered from Waheed, who claimed to be a manager at a filling station in Ogbomosho, while the sum of N201,000 was recovered from Olalekan, who claimed to be a scavenger.

”The suspects will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of ongoing investigations,” he said.