A coalition of concerned citizens under the banner Kaduna Is Awake has formally petitioned Nigeria’s top anti-graft and security agencies, demanding a sweeping, independent investigation into the eight-year tenure of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The open public petition, addressed to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Department of State Services (DSS), alleges a pattern of governance marked by suppression of dissent, controversial demolitions, questionable security expenditures and financial opacity between May 29, 2015 and May 29, 2023.
Signed by Nasiru Jagaba on behalf of the coalition, the petition insists that “no individual is above the law” and calls for a forensic audit of public funds, including approximately $350 million in World Bank loans secured during the administration.
Disappearances and Detentions
Central to the petition is the unresolved disappearance of Abubakar Idris, widely known as Dadiyata, who went missing in August 2019 after openly criticizing the state government. Despite sustained advocacy from civil society groups, his whereabouts remain unknown.
The coalition also highlighted the detention and subsequent death of Dr. Ishaku Damina, Chief of Kurama, who was reportedly held for months without trial and allegedly denied adequate medical care before dying shortly after release.
“These cases raise serious constitutional concerns,” the petition states, referencing Section 35 of Nigeria’s Constitution on personal liberty.
Southern Kaduna Killings and Chiefdom Restructuring
The petition revisits the 2018 abduction and killing of the Agom Adara, Maiwada Raphael Galadima, and the subsequent restructuring of the Adara Chiefdom. It questions the detention of Adara elders and the broader security situation in Southern Kaduna, where numerous residents reportedly lost their lives between 2016 and 2021.
The coalition argues that the adequacy of the state’s response to violent attacks remains an open question deserving independent scrutiny.
Arrests of Critics and Journalists
A significant portion of the petition alleges misuse of state machinery to silence dissent.
It references the arrests of activists and journalists, including Audu Maikori, Steven Kefas, Luka Binniyat and Dr. John Danfulani, as well as political rivals such as Senator Shehu Sani and Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, whose property was demolished during a political rift.
The petition contends that such actions may have infringed constitutional protections of freedom of expression under Section 39.
Demolitions and Economic Displacement
Urban renewal policies carried out during the administration led to widespread demolitions of homes, markets and businesses. While the government framed the moves as development-driven reforms, many affected residents alleged inadequate compensation and economic hardship.
Development initiatives, the coalition argues, must comply with due process and social justice standards.
Security Payments and Controversial Statements
The petition also cites public remarks by El-Rufai in 2016 acknowledging negotiations and payments to armed actors to prevent reprisals, arguing that such admissions raise constitutional and jurisdictional concerns regarding executive authority and public funds.
It further references controversial public statements attributed to El-Rufai and his son, Bello El-Rufai, which drew national backlash at the time.
$350 Million World Bank Loan Under Scrutiny
Financial accountability features prominently in the petition. Kaduna State secured approximately $350 million in World Bank loans during the administration. In 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly initiated a probe into alleged irregularities tied to the previous government.
The coalition now demands a comprehensive forensic audit, noting that citizens continue to shoulder repayment obligations.
Call for Federal Investigation
Invoking Sections 14(2)(b), 35 and 39 of the Constitution, the petition urges anti-graft and security agencies to:
- Invite and question the former governor
- Conduct a forensic audit of loans and reform funds
- Investigate allegations of unlawful detention and abuse of office
- Prosecute where evidence establishes culpability
As of the time of filing this report, El-Rufai has not publicly responded to the petition.
The development sets the stage for a potential political and legal showdown, as calls for accountability collide with ongoing debates over governance, security and civil liberties in one of Nigeria’s most politically consequential states.
