Operatives of the Kaduna State police command have arrested Mohammed Bashir Sa’idu, a former commissioner in the state, over a petition on alleged diversion of public funds and money laundering.
According to TheCable, Sa’idu served as the commissioner of local government affairs, chief of staff, and commissioner of finance during the administration of Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of the state.
The newspaper said the police received a petition against Sa’idu in which he was accused of alleged money laundering to the tune of N3.9 billion and alleged misappropriation of N244 million.
He was alleged to have sold $45 million belonging to the state government at the market rate of N410 per dollar in 2021 instead of N498 per dollar, resulting in a N3.9 billion shortfall.
Sa’idu was also said to have been unable to account for the proceeds of the sale of the state government properties located at Marafa estate.
The former commissioner was the committee chairman for the sale of government properties.
Sa’idu is currently in detention while the allegations are being investigated.
TheCable learned that he is also under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) following a report by the Kaduna house of assembly.
His passport has been reportedly withheld due to the investigation.
In June 2024, an ad hoc committee set up by the Kaduna assembly recommended the probe of el-Rufai and some of his political aides over the alleged misappropriation of public funds.
The Kaduna assembly accused el-Rufai of alleged diversion of public funds to the tune of N423 billion and alleged money laundering.
The assembly also alleged that most of the loans obtained by the el-Rufai administration were used for other purposes.
