Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, visited his former aide, Bashir Sa’idu, at a correctional center following Sa’idu’s arrest and detention over allegations of money laundering and illegal sale of government properties.
El-Rufai, accompanied by key members of his former administration, also attended the court where Sa’idu was arraigned but could not meet the presiding judge. A BBC Hausa report revealed that the former governor later visited the office of Operation Fushin Kada, though security operatives were unavailable during his visit.
The Nigeria Police Force confirmed the ongoing investigation into Sa’idu, who served as Chief of Staff to el-Rufai. According to police sources, a petition accuses Sa’idu of laundering N3.96 billion and misappropriating N244 million between 2015 and 2023.
The allegations include the undervalued sale of $45 million in state-owned foreign currency, resulting in a N3.96 billion loss, and mismanagement of N244 million from the sale of government properties in Marafa Estate, Kaduna. These acts reportedly violate the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Kaduna State Penal Code, 2017.
The former governor did not address journalists, and the outcome of his discussions with the police remains undisclosed.
