Mohammed Bashir Sa’idu, a Kaduna State-based politician, who served as commissioner of local government affairs and later chief of staff to former governor Nasir el-Rufai, was arrested by the Nigeria police force over a petition on alleged diversion of N4.1 billion in public funds.
Sa’idu had previously denied and dismissed the accusations in a petition in June. In the petition, he was accused of alleged money laundering to the tune over N3.9 billion and alleged misappropriation of N244 million between 2015 to 2023
The former cgief of staff to Governor Nasir Elrufai 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 accused of unable to account for proceeds from the sale of Kaduna state government properties located at Marafa Estate where he served as the committee chairman for they sale of these properties.
It will be recall that in June last year, Sa’idu and some other commissioners who served under el-Rufai administration issued a joint statement, dismissing allegations of fund misappropriation by the Kaduna State House of Assembly.
