By Enioluwa Adeniyi
Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, on Thursday paid a visit to the Kaduna State Correctional Service Facility to see his former Chief of Staff, Bashir Saidu, who is currently remanded on allegations of money laundering and other charges.
El-Rufai arrived at the facility at approximately 10:19 am, accompanied by three former commissioners from his administration: Jafaru Sani (Education), Hafsat Baba (Human Services and Social Development), and Ibrahim Hussaini (Environment).
According to Daily Trust, the visit lasted less than 30 minutes, with the former governor departing at 10:47 am.
Bashir Saidu was arrested on Monday and brought before a magistrates’ court in Rigasa, which subsequently ordered his remand in the correctional facility.
Saidu, who served as the Commissioner of Local Government Affairs, Chief of Staff, and Commissioner of Finance during el-Rufai’s tenure, is accused of money laundering to the tune of ₦3.9 billion and misappropriation of ₦244 million.
The allegations stem from a petition accusing Saidu of selling $45 million belonging to the state government at an exchange rate of ₦410 per dollar in 2021, instead of the prevailing market rate of ₦498 per dollar, resulting in a ₦3.9 billion shortfall.
Dressed in a green cap and light green agbada, El-Rufai declined to speak to journalists who approached him as he exited the facility.
