Citizens’ group renews call for independent probe into El-rufai’s administration
Citizens’ group renews call for independent probe into El-rufai’s administration
The Citizens Support for Good Governance (CSGG) has called for a comprehensive, independent and transparent investigation into killings, insecurity, alleged human rights violations, financial controversies and other unresolved issues linked to the administration of former Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, between 2015 and 2023.
The call was contained in a statement issued in Kaduna on Thursday and jointly signed by the National Coordinator of CSGG, Dr. Adeosun Olumide Olayinka; National Secretary, Hon. Hamis Danbaba Malumfashi; and Director of Media and Public Communications, Hon. Victor Mathew Bobai. Blueprint reports
CSGG said renewed public attention to allegations arising from the former administration made it necessary for competent Nigerian institutions to conduct a thorough, impartial and evidence-based inquiry capable of establishing the truth, delivering justice to victims and clearing anyone wrongly accused.
The organisation stressed that an investigation should not be regarded as an attempt to convict anybody, insisting that credible allegations must be tested against evidence and the law.
“Serious allegations should not be swept under the carpet. If the allegations are false, exaggerated or unsupported by evidence, a credible investigation will provide an opportunity for those accused to be cleared.
“If evidence establishes wrongdoing, then the appropriate legal institutions should act in accordance with the law,” it said.
Probe killings, insecurity
CSGG said the proposed inquiry should examine major killings and violent attacks recorded across Kaduna State during the eight-year period, including incidents that resulted in deaths, injuries, displacement and destruction of property.
It said investigators should establish the number of major attacks, casualties and displaced persons, the communities affected, the circumstances surrounding each incident, intelligence or early warnings received by authorities, security measures deployed and the response after attacks.
The group also wants investigators to establish how many suspects were arrested, how many cases were investigated and prosecuted, and the number of convictions secured.
According to CSGG, particular attention should be paid to repeated attacks in Southern Kaduna, where community leaders, residents and human rights organisations had raised concerns over killings, attacks on rural communities and alleged failures to protect vulnerable populations.
“The purpose is not to manufacture guilt. The purpose is to establish responsibility where evidence exists and identify institutional failures where they occurred,” it said.
Zaria crisis must be examined
The organisation also called for a fresh examination of the December 2015 Zaria crisis involving the Nigerian Army and members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN).
It said the circumstances surrounding the deaths, destruction of property, removal and burial of bodies and the implementation of recommendations from previous inquiries should be subjected to careful review.
CSGG recalled that a Kaduna State Judicial Commission of Inquiry was established following the incident and that the issue of a mass burial subsequently became a major human rights concern.
The group said any new examination should establish the full circumstances of the crisis, the number and identities of those who died where possible, the roles played by the Army and state government, whether applicable procedures were followed and whether recommendations from earlier investigations were implemented.
It, however, cautioned against assigning responsibility without evidence.
Human rights, justice for victims
CSGG said allegations of unlawful killings, disappearances, unlawful detention, mistreatment of detainees and forced displacement should also be investigated wherever credible complaints or official records exist.
It urged the National Human Rights Commission and other competent institutions to examine such allegations and determine whether violations occurred and who, if anyone, should bear legal responsibility.
The organisation further called for an assessment of the treatment of victims and displaced communities, including humanitarian assistance, rehabilitation, relief distribution and possible compensation for affected families where applicable.
It said the investigation should also determine whether government interventions during ethnic, religious and communal crises were timely and whether affected communities were treated fairly.
Financial allegations
CSGG said financial allegations arising from the 2024 Kaduna State House of Assembly investigation into the previous administration should also be subjected to lawful investigation and, where necessary, judicial determination.
The Assembly’s ad-hoc committee had examined issues relating to loans, contracts, grants, project implementation and other financial matters covering the 2015–2023 period.
CSGG stressed that findings or allegations by a legislative committee should not automatically be treated as proof of criminal conduct.
“An allegation by a legislative committee is not a criminal conviction. Every allegation must be tested according to the law, and every accused person is entitled to fair hearing,” the organisation said.
It also referenced corruption-related allegations involving the former governor that have entered formal legal processes, noting that charges filed by law-enforcement authorities remain allegations until determined by the courts.
“The existence of a charge or an allegation does not amount to guilt. The courts must be allowed to determine the cases based on evidence and the law,” CSGG said.
No selective investigation
CSGG insisted that a genuine inquiry must examine the roles of all relevant institutions and individuals connected to particular incidents rather than focus exclusively on the former governor.
It listed the Kaduna state government, Federal Government, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, intelligence and security agencies, local government authorities, relevant ministries, departments and agencies, traditional and community institutions among those whose roles should be examined where relevant.
“No inquiry should unfairly isolate one individual while ignoring the roles and responsibilities of the institutions constitutionally responsible for security,” it said.
The group maintained that its objective was “truth, not political persecution”, adding that an independent inquiry could establish wrongdoing where evidence exists while equally clearing people who may have been wrongly accused.
CSGG seeks wider institutional support
The organisation appealed to the National Assembly, Kaduna State House of Assembly, National Human Rights Commission, law-enforcement and judicial institutions, civil society organisations and professional bodies to support lawful efforts to resolve outstanding questions.
It also called for appropriate engagement by bodies including the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Nigeria Labour Congress, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Northern Governors’ Forum, ECOWAS, African Union, United Nations and credible international human rights organisations, subject to their respective mandates and applicable legal frameworks.
CSGG specifically urged the Kaduna State House of Assembly to consider all constitutional and lawful measures available to it in examining unresolved issues from the period.
It said any inquiry should be independent, impartial, transparent, professional and evidence-based, with full regard for the Constitution and the rule of law.
“Kaduna deserves the truth”
CSGG said years of insecurity and violence had left many Kaduna families and communities with painful unanswered questions.
“Families have lost loved ones. Communities have been attacked. Citizens have been displaced. There are questions that remain unanswered.
“The people of Kaduna deserve answers,” it said.
The organisation maintained that justice for victims and fairness to accused persons were not contradictory, insisting that both could be achieved through a credible investigative process.
“Let every credible allegation be investigated. Let every person accused be given fair hearing. Let every institution involved be examined. Let the evidence speak. Let innocent persons be cleared.
“And where credible evidence establishes wrongdoing, let the appropriate legal process take its course.”
CSGG said Kaduna could not build lasting peace by ignoring painful questions from its past, stressing that truth must be established, justice must be based on evidence and every person must be treated fairly before the law.
